Visionary Ventures

Visionary Ventures, established in 2016 and based in Newport Beach, California, is a venture capital firm specializing in the ophthalmology sector within life sciences. The company invests in promising medical device and pharmaceutical startups, providing growth capital, clinical expertise, and commercialization know-how to help these companies succeed. They focus on early-stage investments, typically ranging from $500K to $5M per round, with a target total investment of $5M to $15M. Visionary Ventures seeks to be a lead investor and strategic partner, offering a strong network of key opinion leader doctors. The firm's fund performance places it in the top decile of U.S. venture funds.

Lori-Ann Christie Ph.D

Principal

Garrett Hamontree

Principal

Ehsan Sadri MD

General Partner and Investment Committee Member

Jeffry Weinhuff

General Partner, Managing Partner and Investment Committee Member

22 past transactions

Orasis Pharmaceuticals

Series D in 2024
Orasis Pharmaceuticals Ltd is a pharmaceutical company based in Herzliya, Israel, founded in 2015. The company specializes in the development of corrective eye drops aimed at treating presbyopia, a common age-related vision condition. Its primary product, CSF-1, is designed to improve near visual acuity through pupil modulation, thereby alleviating the need for reading glasses. By repurposing existing, well-studied molecules, CSF-1 aims to provide an effective, safe, and easy-to-use solution that enhances the quality of life for individuals affected by presbyopia. This noninvasive treatment option offers patients a practical alternative for managing their near vision difficulties.

Pelage Pharma

Series A in 2024
Pelage Pharma delivers a clinically tested treatment for both men and women battling the emotional pain or social stigma of hair loss. Its non-invasive, topical small molecule drug platform activates hair follicle stem cells and stimulates robust hair growth.

ONL Therapeutics

Series C in 2023
ONL Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, focused on developing innovative therapies to protect and improve vision in patients with retinal diseases. Established in 2006, the company specializes in creating photoreceptor protective agents that target the FAS apoptotic pathway, offering potential protection for photoreceptors. Its drug programs are designed to address serious, vision-threatening conditions, including retinal detachment, ultimately aiming to enhance surgical outcomes and patient quality of life through the use of small-molecule peptides.

Re-Vana Therapeutics

Series A in 2022
Re-Vana Therapeutics Ltd is an ocular pharmaceuticals and drug delivery company based in Belfast, United Kingdom, established in 2016. The company specializes in the development and commercialization of innovative biodegradable drug delivery platforms aimed at treating chronic eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and ocular infections. Re-Vana’s platforms, OcuLief and EyeLief, are designed for long-acting, tailored delivery of therapeutics, allowing for sustained release of active ingredients over periods ranging from one week to one year. OcuLief is specifically developed for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, while EyeLief targets glaucoma and retinal diseases. The company employs FDA-approved polymers in its technology, focusing on enhancing patient compliance by minimizing treatment frequency, reducing pain, and lowering side effects. By providing versatile delivery options, Re-Vana aims to facilitate cost savings for healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies while improving patient outcomes.

Iantrek

Series B in 2022
Iantrek, founded in 2019 and headquartered in White Plains, New York, specializes in developing innovative technology for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. The company focuses on creating advanced micro-interventional surgical tools that allow ophthalmic surgeons to perform eye surgeries with smaller incisions and reduced recovery times.

Aurion Biotechnologies

Venture Round in 2022
Aurion Biotechnologies is a clinical-stage biotech company focused on developing advanced therapies for ocular diseases, particularly those leading to blindness. Based in Seattle, Boston, and Tokyo, the company aims to transform the lives of millions by restoring vision through innovative cell therapies. Its lead candidate targets corneal edema and is one of the first clinically validated cell therapies in corneal care. The process involves culturing healthy cells from a donor cornea using a proprietary method, allowing cells from a single donor to potentially treat over 100 recipient eyes. Clinical trials in Japan have shown that patients experience significant and lasting improvements in corneal health indicators, including visual acuity and corneal thickness.

Sydnexis

Series B in 2021
Sydnexis is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a proprietary treatment for pediatric progressive myopia, which represents a significant unmet medical need globally. The company specializes in manufacturing a topical eyedrop formulation aimed at slowing the progression of myopia in children. By providing an innovative solution, Sydnexis enables healthcare professionals and institutions to effectively manage and reduce the incidence of myopia-related eye disorders in the pediatric population.

Orasis Pharmaceuticals

Series C in 2020
Orasis Pharmaceuticals Ltd is a pharmaceutical company based in Herzliya, Israel, founded in 2015. The company specializes in the development of corrective eye drops aimed at treating presbyopia, a common age-related vision condition. Its primary product, CSF-1, is designed to improve near visual acuity through pupil modulation, thereby alleviating the need for reading glasses. By repurposing existing, well-studied molecules, CSF-1 aims to provide an effective, safe, and easy-to-use solution that enhances the quality of life for individuals affected by presbyopia. This noninvasive treatment option offers patients a practical alternative for managing their near vision difficulties.

TearClear

Series B in 2020
TearClear Corp. is an ophthalmic pharmaceutical company focused on developing preservative-free therapeutic drops aimed at treating glaucoma and various anti-inflammatory conditions, including dry eye disease and allergic conjunctivitis. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company specializes in creating a platform of drugs that enhances medication delivery while ensuring patient safety and compliance by preventing preservatives from reaching the ocular surface. TearClear's innovative approach not only transforms established ophthalmic medications into safer therapies but also lays the groundwork for future developments across multiple treatment programs.

Re-Vana Therapeutics

Seed Round in 2020
Re-Vana Therapeutics Ltd is an ocular pharmaceuticals and drug delivery company based in Belfast, United Kingdom, established in 2016. The company specializes in the development and commercialization of innovative biodegradable drug delivery platforms aimed at treating chronic eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and ocular infections. Re-Vana’s platforms, OcuLief and EyeLief, are designed for long-acting, tailored delivery of therapeutics, allowing for sustained release of active ingredients over periods ranging from one week to one year. OcuLief is specifically developed for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, while EyeLief targets glaucoma and retinal diseases. The company employs FDA-approved polymers in its technology, focusing on enhancing patient compliance by minimizing treatment frequency, reducing pain, and lowering side effects. By providing versatile delivery options, Re-Vana aims to facilitate cost savings for healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies while improving patient outcomes.

Tarsus Pharmaceuticals

Series B in 2020
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Irvine, California, specializing in the development and commercialization of innovative therapeutic candidates for ophthalmic conditions and other diseases with significant unmet needs. The company’s lead product candidate, TP-03, is currently in Phase IIb/III trials for the treatment of blepharitis caused by Demodex mite infestations, as well as for meibomian gland disease. Additionally, Tarsus is developing TP-04 for rosacea and TP-05 for Lyme disease prophylaxis and community malaria reduction. Founded in 2016, Tarsus Pharmaceuticals aims to address substantial market opportunities in eye care and dermatology, focusing on first-in-class therapies where treatment options are limited.

Surface Pharmaceuticals

Series A in 2018
Surface Pharmaceuticals is an owner and operator of a pharmaceutical company intended to provide ophthalmology products. The company's medicines use topical formulations with the patented Klarity delivery vehicle, designed to protect and rehabilitate the ocular surface, enabling patients with dry eye disease to recover on time and properly.

Orasis Pharmaceuticals

Series B in 2018
Orasis Pharmaceuticals Ltd is a pharmaceutical company based in Herzliya, Israel, founded in 2015. The company specializes in the development of corrective eye drops aimed at treating presbyopia, a common age-related vision condition. Its primary product, CSF-1, is designed to improve near visual acuity through pupil modulation, thereby alleviating the need for reading glasses. By repurposing existing, well-studied molecules, CSF-1 aims to provide an effective, safe, and easy-to-use solution that enhances the quality of life for individuals affected by presbyopia. This noninvasive treatment option offers patients a practical alternative for managing their near vision difficulties.

Tear Film Innovations

Series B in 2018
Tear Film Innovations Inc. is a San Diego-based company founded in 2014 that specializes in developing medical devices for the treatment of evaporative dry eye and related conditions, such as meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis. The company’s flagship product, the iLux Dry Eye Treatment System, is an FDA-cleared handheld device that allows eye care professionals to quickly evaluate and treat patients suffering from dry eye within ten minutes. This innovative system focuses on addressing blocked meibomian glands through targeted heating and compression, enhancing the efficiency of meibomian gland dysfunction treatment. As a subsidiary of Alcon, Inc., Tear Film Innovations aims to improve patient outcomes for the millions affected by evaporative dry eye worldwide.

Equinox

Series B in 2018
Equinox is a medical technology company founded in 2014 and headquartered in Newport Beach, California. The company focuses on revolutionizing the treatment of glaucoma and other progressive eye diseases through its innovative technology. Equinox has developed an adjustable, non-surgical, and non-pharmacological system that leverages the natural laws of physics to balance pressures in and around the eye. This approach allows healthcare professionals to gain a deeper understanding of glaucoma by exploring the underlying physics of eye pressure, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes in the management of optic nerve diseases.

Tear Film Innovations

Series A in 2017
Tear Film Innovations Inc. is a San Diego-based company founded in 2014 that specializes in developing medical devices for the treatment of evaporative dry eye and related conditions, such as meibomian gland dysfunction and blepharitis. The company’s flagship product, the iLux Dry Eye Treatment System, is an FDA-cleared handheld device that allows eye care professionals to quickly evaluate and treat patients suffering from dry eye within ten minutes. This innovative system focuses on addressing blocked meibomian glands through targeted heating and compression, enhancing the efficiency of meibomian gland dysfunction treatment. As a subsidiary of Alcon, Inc., Tear Film Innovations aims to improve patient outcomes for the millions affected by evaporative dry eye worldwide.

IanTech

Series C in 2017
IanTech is a medical device company based in Reno, Nevada, specializing in advanced micro-interventional technology for cataract surgery. The company has developed a pen-like device that utilizes nitinol micro-filament technology to perform energy-free endocapsular lens fragmentation. This innovative approach allows surgeons to efficiently manage challenging cataract cases through a minimally invasive clear cornea incision, ultimately improving surgical outcomes. IanTech aims to enhance surgical techniques and reduce the incidence of cataract-related blindness worldwide, addressing a significant global health issue. By focusing on smart and adaptable solutions, IanTech is committed to advancing cataract surgery and expanding access to effective treatments.

TearClear

Series A in 2017
TearClear Corp. is an ophthalmic pharmaceutical company focused on developing preservative-free therapeutic drops aimed at treating glaucoma and various anti-inflammatory conditions, including dry eye disease and allergic conjunctivitis. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company specializes in creating a platform of drugs that enhances medication delivery while ensuring patient safety and compliance by preventing preservatives from reaching the ocular surface. TearClear's innovative approach not only transforms established ophthalmic medications into safer therapies but also lays the groundwork for future developments across multiple treatment programs.

RxSight

Series H in 2017
RxSight, Inc. is a medical technology company based in Aliso Viejo, California, focused on enhancing vision for patients after cataract surgery. It has developed the RxSight Light Adjustable Lens system, which includes the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL), a Light Delivery Device (LDD), and associated accessories. This innovative technology is the first of its kind to allow healthcare professionals to customize and optimize visual acuity post-surgery, enabling precise reshaping of the lens to meet individual patient needs. Additionally, the LAL features ActivShield technology, providing built-in UV protection. Established in 1997 and originally named Calhoun Vision, Inc., the company rebranded to RxSight, Inc. in 2017.

CorneaGen

Series A in 2016
CorneaGen is a mission-driven company focused on innovating cornea care to eliminate corneal blindness globally. It develops advanced medical devices, biologics, and therapeutics aimed at improving the treatment and care provided by corneal surgeons. CorneaGen offers a comprehensive range of services, including the delivery of high-quality tissue, surgeon education, and advocacy for patient access and reimbursement policies. By equipping eye surgeons with innovative tools and resources, CorneaGen strives to restore sight for individuals suffering from corneal conditions, thereby transforming the landscape of corneal surgery and enhancing patient outcomes.

Zepto

Series B in 2016
Mynosys Cellular Devices is a global ophthalmic technology company dedicated to providing surgeons with innovative solutions that enable procedural excellence

IanTech

Series B in 2016
IanTech is a medical device company based in Reno, Nevada, specializing in advanced micro-interventional technology for cataract surgery. The company has developed a pen-like device that utilizes nitinol micro-filament technology to perform energy-free endocapsular lens fragmentation. This innovative approach allows surgeons to efficiently manage challenging cataract cases through a minimally invasive clear cornea incision, ultimately improving surgical outcomes. IanTech aims to enhance surgical techniques and reduce the incidence of cataract-related blindness worldwide, addressing a significant global health issue. By focusing on smart and adaptable solutions, IanTech is committed to advancing cataract surgery and expanding access to effective treatments.
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