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InFocus invests in Qura's QSmart technology
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Qura, the creator of QSmart implantable technology that monitors IOP in glaucoma patients, has received Series A funding from InFocus Capital Partners to advance the technology toward commercialization.
"Qura has developed and licensed patented proprietary technology for wireless, 'active,' internally placed sensors, which measure pressure in approximately 20 places inside the human anatomy. To date, the patent portfolio contains approximately 60 patent or patent pending applications," Doug P. Adams, Qura co-founder, president and CEO, told Healio.com/OSN.
QSmart, a micro-sized wireless implantable pressure sensor, is smaller than a grain of rice and can be programmed to monitor and detect real-time IOP changes, Adams said.
Information from the QSmart is transferred to a hand-held device or tablet so physicians can evaluate the effectiveness of the glaucoma treatment.
“This is a really transformative product. I do believe this will revolutionize the medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma,” Adams said.
While physicians currently base treatment options on a few IOP readings each year, this product will allow them to constantly monitor and get real-time information regarding the status of treatment, he added.
With the contribution from InFocus, the company has now raised approximately $10 million from a variety of investors.
“The capital from InFocus allows us to complete the product development and begin getting the device ready for commercialization,” Adams said.
Product development is advancing, and it is estimated the device will be available in the human market by 2020.
“InFocus Capital Partners is excited to support this breakthrough approach to biomedical pressure measurement and monitoring for glaucoma,” Robert Rothman, MD, InFocus managing director, said in a press release. “As ophthalmologists investing in technologies to improve eye care, it was easy for us to recognize Qura as exactly the type of company we were looking for to help advance and commercialize.” - by Rebecca L. Forand