Alevca Ocular, a US-based developer of treatments for eye diseases, secured four licences yesterday from Case Western Reserve University’s (CWRU’s) Tech Transfer Office.
The company will initially research inflammations that can result from ocular procedures such as laser eye surgery and cataract removal as well as microbial infections. The company is now also seeking series A funding.
The technology is based on research by Eric Pearlman, a former director of research in CWRU’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences who now acts as director at the Institute for Immunology at University of California, Irvine.
Pearlman’s research included work on corneal infections such as bacterial and fungal keratitis, the latter of which can cause blindness if left untreated. Pearlman will continue to direct Alevca’s research, though his official title is unclear.
CWRU’s tech transfer office had assisted Pearlman by drawing up legal protections during early development. Alevca hopes to secure regulatory approvals to quickly progress its technology into clinical trials together with major pharmaceutical companies.
Chris Magill, chief executive of Alevca Ocular, said: “The CWRU licences are essential components of Alevca’s development plan, and we appreciate the support the university’s TTO has provided and continues to provide as we grow our organisation.”
