Spin-out to Commercialise Eyecare Technology

NuVision, a spin-out based at MediCity in Nottingham, has received £379k seed funding from Mercia Fund Management, to support the commercialisation of OMnigen^TM, a treatment for ocular wounds caused by scratches, blisters and burns as soon as they occur, or for more long-term, non-healing persistent defects.

Founded by Professor Harminder Dua, a world-renowned ophthalmologist and Dr Andrew Hopkinson, Principle Research Fellow in Academic Ophthalmology, University of Nottingham, NuVision has harnessed the restorative and protective potential of amniotic membrane, using a pioneering manufacturing process developed by the ophthalmic team at the university called Tereo™.

The result of 13 years of research, also supported by the British Ministry of Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Omnigen can potentially save people from blindness caused by injury to the cornea. A dry, sterile Omnigen disc can be glued directly onto the ocular surface during reconstructive surgery, and permanently sutured in position.

It can also be applied in the emergency room and held in place by a conformer contact lens. Eye moisture then initiates the release of beneficial amnion constituents, acting quickly to help relieve pain and stabilise the eye injury in humans and animals.

Dr George Baxter, Director of Business Engagement and Innovation Services, at University of Nottingham, added: "I am very pleased that Mercia has invested in NuVision and will help to take the company to the next stage of its development. NuVision's ground-breaking Omnigen product, which is based on technology developed at The University of Nottingham, has huge potential in the treatment of ocular injuries. There has already been a significant amount of interest in the product around the world from both veterinary and human ophthalmologists who can see the tremendous potential of Omnigen."