Automated Opthalmic Laser Technology attracts Investors

Surgical ophthalmology equipment specialist Keranova has raised second round funding of €24M ($26.5M), to advance development of its robotized procedures for cataract surgery. Prompted by its long-standing shareholders Mérieux Equity Partners and Supernova Invest, along with new investors, Financière Arbevel, Tourrette Investissement and other international partners, the funding will also be used to obtain the necessary Regulatory Authorisation to take the technology to market as a first leading commercial application for the company. It is envisaged that the ultra-fast robotized procedure for cataracts could, at a later stage, tackle refractory problems, such as myopia and astigmatism. 
Founded in 2016, Keranova raised €4M ($4.4M) during a first round of financing, to which Bpifrance added €1M ($1.1M). The first clinical prototype for a robotized laser, designed and developed by the company in Saint-Etienne, France, was produced through a series of major innovations protected by 11 patent families. The device successfully treated its first patients in December 2018.

“We are extremely proud to have succeeded in producing such a revolutionary machine in such a short amount of time and are very pleased to have attracted new financial partners,” said Fabrice Romano, CEO and founder of Keranova. “We are very grateful to them and are eager to promote this innovative surgical equipment as the new gold standard in anterior eye segment surgery.”