MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kedalion Therapeutics is pleased to announce the completion of its Series B financing led by Novartis and involving a combination of new and existing investors. The Novartis investment includes an Exclusive Option to Acquire the company and its AcuStream™ technology. This agreement follows a Feasibility Study agreement with the AcuStream™ technology signed earlier this year. The subsequent feasibility study has been completed with successful results. Collaboration between the two parties is ongoing. The financial and other terms of this transaction are not disclosed.

Kedalion’s AcuStream™ platform is a highly innovative, digitally connected, electromechanical topical ocular delivery device that aims to address a potential unmet need for a convenient, user-friendly device that reliably, accurately, and comfortably delivers topical ocular therapy with improved efficiency and patient comfort, and reduced reliance on patient skill and instillation technique when administered by a physician.¹ The multi-dose, preservative-free platform strives to enable intended aim, potential for a comfortable patient experience, micro-dosing capability, and in phase 1 proof of concept studies, has shown a potential for a reduction in delivery dose of an intended therapy.^1-4 Kedalion will continue to move forward with the development of the AcuStream™ platform across multiple disease categories, drug classes and compositions, including the treatment of presbyopia. The AcuStream™ technology has a potential to enhance the patient experience and optimize treatment outcomes of the company’s highly advanced portfolio of topical ocular drug products in development.

The company looks forward to the opportunity to collaborate with Novartis Innovative Medicines as a valued investor and partner in developing our technology platform and therapeutic targets.

“At Novartis, we are committed to reimagining medicine and investigating innovative approaches that have the potential to address unmet patient needs,” said Jill Hopkins, Global Development Unit Head, Ophthalmology, Novartis Pharmaceuticals. “The AcuStream™ technology is a novel platform with broad applicability in ophthalmics and we envision that it could help us deliver transformative solutions to the patients who rely on our therapeutics to treat a range of eye conditions.”

Dr. Mark Blumenkranz, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Kedalion Therapeutics, commented that “this transaction and associated further studies will help us accomplish our goal of revolutionizing the way drugs are delivered to the eye. The AcuStream™ technology, which strives to enable easier aiming, micro-dosing capability, and a potential for a reduction in delivery dose of an intended therapy, has the potential for a comfortable patient experience for patients worldwide.¹ The platform could potentially provide convenience and enable micro-dosing capability for various ocular diseases.¹ We see our capabilities coupled with the scientific and market leadership of Novartis in ophthalmics to be a winning formula for both organizations.”

About Kedalion Therapeutics

Kedalion Therapeutics is a venture-backed, clinical-stage biotechnology company whose mission is to bring to market transformative topical ophthalmic therapies for new and existing indications. Kedalion’s proprietary AcuStream™ platform technology delivers topical drugs to the eye in a precise and accurate manner that enables comparable effect with up to an 80% reduction in dose compared to standard eye drops. Kedalion is based in Menlo Park, CA. For more information, visit www.kedalionthera.com.

1. Quiroz-Mercado H, Ivri E, Gonzalez-Salinas R, et al. Clinical evaluation of a novel electromechanical topical ocular drug delivery system: two phase 1 proof of concept studies. Clin Ophthalmol. 2020;14:139-147.
2. Data on File. Kedalion Therapeutics. Kedalion Report September 2021.
3. Data on File. Kedalion Therapeutics. Device Focus Group 2019.
4. Data on File. Kedalion Therapeutics. Patient Comfort Testing Results 2021.

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