DISC Optics Secures Nearly RMB 100 Million Series A Funding from LYFE Capital to Lead Innovation in Juvenile Myopia Control

VCBeat has learned that a rising star in myopia prevention and control for adolescentsZhuhai Bo'ai Zhiguang Technology Co., Ltd.Recently announced the completion of a funding round led byLYFE CapitalExclusively InvestedNearly RMB 100 Million in Series A FundingFundraising. The funds raised will be used for talent development, clinical trials, product R&D, and commercial expansion.

Zhuhai Bo’ai Zhiguang Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2014, has been deeply engaged in the field of myopia prevention and control among children and adolescents. The company’s core management team has dedicated decades to the optometry sector, accumulating profound industry insights and technical expertise.

In 2018, Bo’ai Light entered into a strategic partnership with the Centre for Myopia Research at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to launch a myopia control product based on an 18-year patented research and development achievement from the Centre.“DIESHI-DISC Soft Hydrophilic Contact Lenses”。

DISC Soft Hydrophilic Contact Lenses, image from the company's official website

DISC Soft Hydrophilic Contact Lenses leverage “multi-ring defocus” R&D technology to convert hyperopic defocus into emmetropic or myopic defocus, thereby controlling axial elongation and effectively slowing the progression of myopia. Based on the principle of “optical defocus,” the lenses feature a design with nine concentric rings; the increased number of rings ensures more stable visual performance and superior overall efficacy.

Dishi Optical Zone Nine-Ring Design

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University previously conducted a two-year test and study on 128 children aged 8 to 13. The research found that wearing "optical defocus" soft hydrophilic contact lenses can slow down the progression of myopia, with daily lens wear exceeding 8 hours,On average, it can slow myopia progression by 60%.

On December 9, 2022, the company announced the one-year multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trial data for the DiShi soft hydrophilic contact lens. Clinical trial results from three centers—Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, the Affiliated Eye and Vision Care Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, and the Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Hospital of Fudan University—showed that with eight hours of daily wear, the myopia control rate was 59.35% and the axial length control rate was 55.10%. Among children under nine years of age, the myopia control rate reached 71.43%, and the axial length control rate was 65.45%, comparable to the 60% myopia control efficacy reported in a two-year clinical trial conducted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. DiShi’s significantly advanced technology and pioneering innovations clearly demonstrate its vast market potential and robust industry prospects.

Current myopia control products on the market impose strict restrictions and high requirements regarding the wearer’s age, refractive error, and care regimen, making it difficult to meet the individualized needs of every patient for myopia management.

Discease perfectly addresses all the aforementioned pain points. Its lenses feature a water content of 55%, a diameter of 14.2 mm, a base curve of 8.6 mm, and a prescription range from -1.00 D to -10.00 D.

Its innovation is primarily reflected in four aspects:

First, in terms of the target population, currently common myopia products are only designed for prevention and control in children aged eight and above with myopia under 600 degrees. In contrast, Disc offers a broader range of applicable ages and prescriptions, providing comprehensive coverage for refractive errors from 100 to 1000 degrees.

Second, in terms of safety, Disc is made of soft material based on optical principles, which can reduce wearing damage and significantly lower the risk of eye infections; it meets the oxygen supply needs of the eyes; it protects against ultraviolet rays and safeguards eye health.

Third, in terms of comfort, the ultra-thin design of Dieshi ensures wearers experience no foreign body sensation, making it easy to accept.

Fourth is convenience. DieShi is a daily disposable product that requires no maintenance, allowing for immediate wear and removal, and is easy to carry. It offers high efficiency and standardized supply, eliminating the need for customization, with products available for immediate dispensing.

As a breakthrough optical medical product for myopia control, Dieshi addresses the limitations of existing solutions through significant advancements in ease of use, comfort, safety, and adaptability range, emerging as a new powerful tool for myopia prevention and control in adolescents.

With its outstanding efficacy in prevention and control, Discov has secured invention patents in 14 countries, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. It also received the Grand Prize—the highest honor—at the 39th and 46th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, as well as the Special Grand Prize from the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. The research findings were published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, a top-tier global academic journal in ophthalmology.

Exclusive Empowerment by Top-Tier Capital: A New Weapon Added to Adolescent Myopia Prevention and Control

In recent years, due to factors such as excessive use of electronic devices and the increased burden of online academic coursework, the visual strain on adolescents in China has been gradually increasing.

Myopia is a global public health issue, and myopia among children and adolescents has drawn significant attention in China. According to data released in the 2021 White Paper on Eye Health in China, the overall prevalence of myopia among children and adolescents nationwide was 52.7%, meaning that one in every two children is myopic. Moreover, the prevalence of myopia increases with grade level, exceeding 70% among junior high school students and 80% among senior high school students. The proportion of high myopia (greater than 6.00 diopters) reached as high as 17.6%. It is estimated that the total number of myopic adolescents aged 8–18 years in China is approximately 105 million.

The onset and harm of myopia are irreversible. High myopia is also prone to causing blinding eye diseases such as cataracts, retinal detachment, macular hemorrhage, and glaucoma, which not only affect the physical and mental health of adolescents but also relate to the future of the country and the nation. It is urgent to use technology to fight the battle against myopia prevention and control in children and adolescents.

For this round of financing,Deng Huixin, Founder of Bo'ai Lightstated, “‘Addressing unmet clinical needs creates social value, which in turn generates economic value.’ This is the philosophy that brought us into immediate alignment with LYFE Capital. DieShi is committed to long-term collaboration with professional investment institutions, aiming to establish itself as the leading brand in China’s soft contact lens sector for myopia control, and to contribute its expertise and strength to myopia prevention and control among children and adolescents.”

Chen Long, Managing Director of LYFE CapitalLYFE Capital stated: “The efficacy and leading position of the product are the core reasons why LYFE Capital is optimistic about Dieshi. The most critical factor in this industry is having a high-quality product, which determines a company’s commercial potential and future development. Based on the product’s proven efficacy, robust international intellectual property portfolio, and experienced commercialization and R&D teams, LYFE Capital is committed to partnering with Dieshi to help it become a globally leading enterprise in myopia prevention and control.”

LYFE Capital is a globally leading healthcare investment platform. We firmly believe that “healthcare knows no borders,” and every investment decision we make is dedicated to advancing biomedical progress and addressing unmet clinical needs worldwide. Leveraging our extensive investment management expertise and global industry resources, LYFE Capital creates value for its portfolio companies. Our integrated international investment team provides comprehensive support to cutting-edge enterprises at all stages, helping entrepreneurs fully realize their growth potential in the global market.