Eyevensys Secures $30 Million Series B Financing to Advance Novel Gene Therapy for Chronic Non-Infectious Uveitis

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media that on January 8, 2020, biotechnology company Eyevensys completed a $30 million Series B financing round. The round was led by Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, with participation from Pontifax, Bpifrance, CapDecisif, Inserm Transfert, Quark Venture LP, GF Securities, and Pureos Bioventures.

Eyevensys is a clinical-stage biotechnology company headquartered in Paris, France, dedicated to developing non-viral gene therapies for retinal and other ocular diseases. The Eyevensys technology is a non-viral gene therapy ophthalmic drug delivery platform that utilizes a two-part electroporation system, comprising proprietary ophthalmic devices and an electric pulse generator, to deliver DNA plasmids encoding therapeutic proteins into the ciliary muscle. This technology transforms the eye into a biofactory, enabling the ciliary muscle to produce therapeutic proteins that are secreted and reach the posterior segment of the eye, including the retina and choroid.

Eyevensys’ lead product, EYS606, is a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of chronic non-infectious uveitis (NIU). EYS606 combines the company’s proprietary electroporation system with a plasmid encoding an effective fusion protein that neutralizes the activity of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a cytokine proven to play a key role in intraocular inflammation associated with NIU. EYS606 is currently undergoing Phase I/II clinical trials in the European Union and has been granted orphan drug designation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of NIU. The ongoing EYS606-CT1 study will further investigate the therapeutic potential of EYS606 in patients with active chronic NIU.

Since its establishment in 2008, Eyevensys has raised a total of €9 million, having completed three previous funding rounds in 2013, 2015, and 2016. This round of financing will be used to develop EYS606, a novel therapy for chronic non-infectious uveitis (NIU), including the initiation of the Electro Study, and to advance the preclinical development of other protein therapies for ophthalmic diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Dr. Buggage of Eyevensys stated, “With Eyevensys technology, the treatment of eye diseases will be completely transformed, and the medical burden on patients and ophthalmologists will be significantly reduced.”

Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, established in 2010, is a venture capital firm headquartered in Germany. Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund primarily invests in biotechnology companies focused on breakthrough therapies to drive innovation in biomedical research.

CapDecisif, founded in 2001, is dedicated to investing in early-stage innovative companies with high growth potential. The CapDecisif team integrates expertise from diverse fields to invest in leading technologies across the sectors of technology, healthcare, digital and digital health, as well as NewSpace.

Pontifax, established in 2004, is a venture capital firm that provides funding to pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, with a focus on biopharmaceuticals.

Bpifrance, established in 2012 and headquartered in France, specializes in providing financial solutions for companies preparing for stock exchange listings and credit equity offerings.

(Compiled by: Chang Jia)