Ikerian announces commercial expansion of RetinAI Discovery in Europe

From left: Carlos Ciller, PhD, CEO, co-founder and Chairman Ikerian AG and RetinAI US Inc.; Stefanos Apostolopoulos, PhD, CTO and co-founder Ikerian AG and RetinAI US Inc.; Sandro De Zanet, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder, Ikerian AG and RetinAI US Inc. (Image credit: Ikerian AG)

Ikerian AG, the Bern, Switzerland-based parent company of RetinAI, announced outcomes of first close Series B funding and a subsequent commercialisation agreement. New strategic investor Sanoptis, an ophthalmology services provider, led the €7.4 million ($8 million USD) funding round. Alongside the equity investment, Ikerian announced that Sanoptis will support the distribution of the RetinAI DISCOVERY platform within the existing Sanoptis network throughout Europe. DISCOVERY and its artificial intelligence (AI) models, supported by generative AI tools, will enhance clinical workflows, improve diagnostic pathways and efficiency and personalise treatment pathways for patients.¹ According to a press release from Ikerian, the DISCOVERY platform was placed in a select group of Sanoptis clinics in early Q4 2024.

In Q1 2025, Ikerian and RetinAI will accelerate development of DISCOVERY CONNECT. The software solution allows clinicians to anonymise, automate and synchronise imaging data uploads. The secure health information platform aims to enable clinical decision-making and facilitate data collection without compromising patient privacy. DISCOVERY CONNECT will also support “real-world evidence generation and optimised clinical study recruitment processes,” Ikerian noted.¹ The investment will also allow Ikerian to explore new oculomic avenues, including neurodegenerative disorders, vascular conditions and rare diseases.

Carlos Ciller, Chairman and CEO of Ikerian and CEO of RetinAI, said Ikerian and RetinAI hope to broaden the application of AI beyond ophthalmology, utilising the eye as a window to full-body health. “This funding allows us to enhance our platform and connectivity solutions further, ensuring clinics have uninterrupted, real-time access to critical information,” Dr Ciller said.¹ “By improving data connectivity, we are helping healthcare providers in ophthalmology make more informed decisions and ultimately improve the quality of care for patients.”

Volker Wendel, CEO of Sanoptis, also commented on the new partnership. “Together, we will focus on advancing technologies that empower clinicians, enhance workflow efficiency and importantly, improve patient outcomes. This partnership marks a major step forward in transforming clinical practice for the better,” he said.

The Series B close was made possible through follow-on investment by existing investors: THINC Ventures, an arm of Topcon Healthcare, Inc.; Zürcher Kantonalbank and Verve Ventures.

Reference

1. Ikerian AG. Ikerian Announces Series B Funding First close of USD 8M (CHF 6.73M) Led by Sanoptis with Commercial Agreement to Expand RetinAI Discovery in Europe. Press release. Published 16 October, 2024. Accessed 25 October, 2024.