CorneaGen Launches CTAK, an Innovation for Improved Patient Outcomes

June 6, 2024

CorneaGen Launches CTAK, an Innovation for Improved Patient Outcomes

Advanced treatment for keratoconus saves time in operating room and makes the most of corneal donations

SEATTLE (June 03, 2024) – CorneaGen today announces the commercial launch of Corneal Tissue Addition for Keratoplasty (CTAK), an innovative and extremely effective solution to corneal contouring for keratoconic eyes.

Developed by CorneaGen in partnership with CTAK LLC and Ziemer, CTAK provides patient ready, gamma-irradiated sterile, non-immunogenic corneal tissue segments, laser cut and customized to patients’ specific cone severity and location.

“We’re so excited to launch CTAK and look forward to wide market adoption transforming the lives of those affected by keratoconus,” said Bernie Iliakis, President and CEO of CorneaGen. “We have a long history as innovators and tissue processing leaders. CTAK represents a true treatment advancement, while honoring and maximizing the gift of corneal donation.”

CorneaGen is committed to transforming the lives of every person impacted by corneal disease through its ongoing focus on product innovation.
“Following a CTAK procedure, patients can experience a ‘wow’ effect with their vision,” said Dr. William Wiley, Medical Director, Cleveland Eye Clinic Division of Midwest Vision Partners. “We have seen immediate impressive improvements in best corrected and uncorrected vision. This immediate improvement at the first follow-up is an exciting experience for those dealing with Keratoconus.”

The world’s leading provider of ocular tissue, CorneaGen works with ophthalmic industry partners to accomplish its mission. CTAK co-inventors include Drs. Peter Hersh, Steven Greenstein, and John Gelles.

“The opportunity to advance the development of such an exciting keratoconus treatment by working with truly innovative and collaborative partners, CorneaGen and Ziemer, has been transformative,” said Dr. Peter S. Hersh, Founder of the Cornea and Laser Eye Institute Center for Keratoconus, Clinical Professor at Rutgers-NJ Medical School, CTAK originator and Co-Founder of CTAK LLC. “We’re able to improve patient vision, reducing the recovery time and risk compared to a corneal transplant.”

In addition to product and tissue processing innovations, CorneaGen is an industry leader in patient advocacy, helping tens of thousands of patients every year. CorneaGen provided more than 32,500 sight-restoring grafts in 2023 and has partnerships with over 25 eye/organ/tissue banks to serve U.S. corneal transplant needs, as well in nearly 50 countries worldwide.

About CorneaGen
CorneaGen’s mission is to provide the highest quality donor tissue, unparalleled customer service and superior products that transform how ophthalmologists treat and care for every person impacted by corneal disease. Through continuous innovations in tissue processing technology and surgical devices, advocacy for patient access and simplified payor reimbursement policies, CorneaGen is advancing the next generation of cornea care.  As the world’s leading provider of ocular tissue, CorneaGen has multiple locations and local partnerships throughout the U.S. to deliver the life-changing gift of sight to tens of thousands of people each year. Read more at https://corneagen.com/.

Media contacts

Jared Young, CorneaGen VP Sales and Marketing

jared.young@corneagen.com

619-518-0734

Julie Fogerson, Fearey Group

jfogerson@feareygroup.com

425-503-3154

CTAK Update from ASCRS 2024

May 15, 2024

CorneaGen Advances Next Generation of DSEK Surgery Innovation

April 28, 2022

New FDA approved, pre-loaded cornea graft insertion device maximizes efficiency to save precious time in the O.R.

SEATTLE (Apr. 22, 2022) – CorneaGen, innovating how ophthalmologists treat and care for every person impacted by corneal disease, today announces the release of the EndoSerter^®-PL. This new and exclusive FDA approved, single-use graft insertion device is pre-loaded with expertly processed tissue to help streamline DSEK surgeries.

“We’re incredibly excited to deliver the EndoSerter^®-PL, our latest innovation in advancing the next generation of cornea care” said Bernie Iliakis, President of CorneaGen. “We strive every day to better serve surgeons, patients, donor families, and industry partners through constant innovation in tissue processing technology and surgical devices.”

“Efficacy and safety are critical for surgery” said Dr. Edward Holland, Director of Cornea Services at Cincinnati Eye Institute. “With the tissue pre-loaded, surgery is significantly faster and there is less risk to mishandling of the graft. Experienced DSEK surgeons who used the original EndoSerter^® insertion device are going to appreciate the benefits if the EndoSerter^®-PL.”

The EndoSerter^®-PL will be showcased in booth #944 at ASCRS 2022, from Apr. 22-26. Notable product demonstrations will be performed by Edward Holland, M.D., on Apr. 23, at 1:00 p.m., and John Berdahl, M.D., on Apr. 24, at 10:00 a.m.

In addition to evolving tissue processing and products, CorneaGen works as an advocate for patients. Through efforts to simplify payor reimbursement and its many industry relationships, CorneaGen serves as partner in helping all those impacted by corneal disease.

CorneaGen remains committed to transforming lives, helping deliver the gift of sight to tens of thousands of people in the U.S. every year.

About CorneaGen
CorneaGen’s mission is to provide the highest quality donor tissue, unparalleled customer service and superior products that transform how ophthalmologists treat and care for every person impacted by corneal disease. Through continuous innovations in tissue processing technology and surgical devices, advocacy for patient access and simplified payor reimbursement policies, CorneaGen is advancing the next generation of cornea care. As the world’s leading eye bank, CorneaGen has multiple locations and local partnerships throughout the U.S. to deliver the life-changing gift of sight to tens of thousands of people each year. Read more at https://corneagen.com/.

Media Inquiries for CorneaGen
Julie Fogerson, Fearey
jfogerson@feareygroup.com
425-503-3154

Industry Veteran to Accelerate Development of Advanced Therapy Platform for Ocular Diseases

June 8, 2021

Greg Kunst has been named chief executive officer of newly-launched Aurion Biotech, whose mission is to cure blindness by developing a differentiated platform of advanced therapies to treat ocular diseases. The company’s first candidate is a cell therapy for the treatment of corneal endothelial disease, which affects millions of people worldwide, with symptoms that include blurred vision, glare, discomfort and pain. Invented by world-renowned ophthalmic surgeon and research scientist Professor Shigeru Kinoshita and his distinguished colleagues at Kyoto Prefecture University of Medicine (KPUM) in Japan, corneal endothelial cell therapy has demonstrated long-term efficacy in Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies in Japan.

“I am delighted to join Aurion Biotech because we have all the key ingredients for success—the best science, the best scientists and medical advisors, and the best backers,” said Greg Kunst. “Our lead candidate, in early research and Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies in Japan, has already demonstrated long-term, significant improvements in patients’ vision. I look forward to scaling up our team to pursue clinical development in the US and around the world, and to build a platform of transformational biotechnologies with the aim of restoring vision to all patients who need it.”

Greg has deep and varied experience in ophthalmic medical devices, drug delivery systems, diagnostics, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical products. His expertise spans global corporate development, strategy, health policy, marketing, commercialization, business development, market access and medical affairs. Before Aurion Biotech, Greg spent six years at Glaukos Corporation (NYSE: GKOS), where he led the worldwide marketing, market access, reimbursement, health economics and outcomes research, government affairs, and business development teams. During his tenure at Glaukos, Greg launched four new products and led the development for multiple ophthalmology device, pharmaceuticals and biologics candidates targeting corneal, glaucoma, and retinal diseases. Before Glaukos, Greg was global franchise director over the glaucoma surgery and retina pharmaceutical businesses at Alcon, a Novartis company. Before joining Alcon, Greg was the global head of market access at Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (Acelity Inc.) Greg is a member of the steering committee for the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute at the University of California, Irvine. Greg holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University and a BS in Economics from Brigham Young University.

“Greg’s achievements and experience have prepared him well for the opportunity at Aurion Biotech,” said Tom Frinzi, board chair. “I quickly realized he is the right person at the right time to lead this team, and I couldn’t be more pleased to have him accelerate the company’s growth and success.”

“Having backed numerous successful technologies in ophthalmology, I know that great people are every bit as important as are great products,” said Bill Link, general partner at Flying L Ventures, and board member. “With Greg at the helm, I’m excited for Aurion Biotech and its very bright future.”

About Aurion Biotech

Based in Seattle and Boston, Aurion Biotech is a clinical stage biotech company. Our mission is to cure leading forms of blindness and transform the lives of millions of patients, by developing a platform of advanced therapies. Our first candidate is for the treatment of corneal endothelial disease, and one of the first clinically validated cell therapies for corneal care. Healthy cells from a donor cornea are cultured in a novel, multi-step, proprietary and patented process. Cell lots manufactured from a single donor may be used to treat more than 100 recipient eyes. In early research and Phase 2 & Phase 3 clinical trials in Japan, patients have experienced long-term, significant improvements in key measures of corneal health: visual acuity, corneal endothelial cell density and corneal thickness. The Aurion Biotech team is preparing for clinical trials in the U.S. To learn more about Aurion Biotech, a division of CorneaGen Inc., visit www.aurionbiotech.com

Media Contacts:

Judith McGarry
415-971-2900
aurionbiotech@gmail.com

Michele Gray
917-449-9250
michele@mgraycommunications.com