Biotech startup EyeBio closes $65M to develop a new generation of eye disease therapies to protect, restore, and improve vision

It’s the 21st century, and there are still millions of people suffering from some forms of eye disorders. According to the Centers for Diseases and Control Prevention (CDC), approximately 12 million people 40 years and over in the United States have vision impairment. The number includes 1 million who are blind, 3 million who have vision impairment after correction, and 8 million who have vision impairment due to uncorrected refractive error. Now, one startup is on a mission to help people with disorders to regain their sight.

Enter Eyebiotech Limited (EyeBio), a London and New York-based tech startup on a mission to protect, restore, and improve vision for people living with eye diseases. The founders decided to start EyeBio after they found that available therapies fall short of improving vision or fail to provide durable, long-term solutions for patients. EyeBio is now working on delivering a new generation of therapies for eye diseases.

Today, EyeBio announced it has closed a $65 million Series A funding round led by SV Health Investors,  alongside Samsara BioCapital and Jeito Capital, with participation from MRL Ventures. The round also brings together an international team of executives and investors with an extensive track record for developing ground-breaking ophthalmology therapies.

EyeBio will use the funding proceeds to assemble and develop a diversified pipeline of product candidates that combines scientifically compelling targets with innovative translational approaches. The company has established a footprint in the United Kingdom to take advantage of the innovation-friendly environment for its clinical trial development. The startup also said is also taking inquiries regarding in-licensing and acquisition of assets into its portfolio.

EyeBio was founded in August 2021 by David Guyer, M.D., and Anthony P. Adamis, M.D., working with collaborators at SV Health Investors, who provided seed funding and helped to recruit leadership and to initiate pipeline development. Previously, Dr. Guyer and Dr. Adamis collaborated with SV Health Investors to co-found Eyetech Pharmaceuticals, where they developed and commercialized the first anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drug for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in 2005.

“Advances in research are revealing new opportunities to translate science into solutions that serve patients with eye diseases who have urgent and unaddressed medical needs,” said Dr. Guyer, Co-Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of EyeBio. “Patients and physicians deserve new and better solutions, which is why this team of serial disruptors has banded together to form EyeBio. We are launching at an exciting time, and we are equipped with the resources to make a significant impact.”

In a statement, Dr. Adamis, Co-Founder, Director, and Chair of the Advisory Board of EyeBio, said: “EyeBio is well-positioned to improve outcomes for patients by addressing a segment of ophthalmology that needs further innovation. Success requires an ability to execute and deliver new therapies with speed and quality. EyeBio has the talent, skillset, and willingness to introduce new solutions to address familiar problems.”

Prior to co-founding EyeBio, Dr. Guyer served as executive chairman and CEO of Iveric Bio, a biopharmaceutical company developing novel treatments for retinal diseases. Dr. Adamis previously served as Senior Vice President of Development Innovation at Genentech, a member of The Roche Group. Over his career, he led development programs in multiple therapeutic areas and oversaw 25 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals.