Venture Investors See Opportunity In Ophthalmology
This article was originally published in Start Up
Executive Summary
A review of venture capital investments in ophthalmology-focused biotechs and medtechs over the past five years. Data from Informa's Strategic Transactions.
You may also be interested in...
Biotech IPOs: High Tide
Since 2013, investors have rallied around biotech IPOs like never before. START-UP looks at the current window and the implications of investor enthusiasm for newly public companies.
Medtech VCs Show Steady Hand With Dollars Invested in 2013
Despite contraction in the number of funds and VC firms investing in life sciences, 2013 was a strong year for private investing in medtech, with private investors putting $2.54 million into 129 medical device deals, according to Informa’s Strategic Transactions. Looking at where investors placed their money revealed some emerging trends.
Venture Eyes Ophthalmology--And Likes What It Sees
Ophthalmology has long been a bright spot for venture investors given the potential market size, health care burden, and high unmet medical need associated with many eye diseases. Based on a recent analysis by Start-Up magazine, there is no sign that trend is diminishing. Using Elsevier's Strategic Transactions database, Start-Up found that private backers have poured nearly $1.8 billion into 58 ophthalmology start-ups since 1999, with the money split nearly 50/50 in terms of device and drug investments. This trend is likely to accelerate as a number of new acquirers emerge to play in what was once a niche area.