KeraLink International (KLI) has provided $2.5 million in seed funding for Pantheon Vision (PV) to launch the development of novel bioengineered corneal implants to help eradicate corneal blindness in both developed and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Pantheon Vision, an early-stage ophthalmic medical device company established by KLI, will use the funding to develop bioengineered corneal implants to reduce reliance on donated corneal tissue – often unavailable in LMICs.

By funding PV, KLI is engaged in a venture philanthropy strategy as part of its “PEN” approach to eradicating corneal blindness: Prevention of corneal blindness, Early detection and treatment of corneal conditions, and Novel therapies that are effective and affordable for broad use in underserved and under-resourced LMICs.

“Development of novel therapeutic solutions is costly but critical to fulfilling our mission of eradicating corneal blindness,” said Douglas J. Furlong, KLI Board chairman. “We are proud to support Pantheon Vision’s promising work and anticipate a return on this investment that will allow us to fund additional innovative products, technologies, and services.”

“Working with generous donors and impact investors, we will fuse the power of market-based solutions with compassionate philanthropy to ensure corneal health in LMICs,” added KLI president and CEO David Green.

Ophthalmic industry veteran John Sheets, Ph.D, leads Pantheon Vision. Dr Sheets has led companies including Hoya and Elisar, and R&D organizations at Alcon, Bausch & Lomb, and Johnson & Johnson. He also served the Food and Drug Administration heading its Office of Device Evaluation.