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MONTREAL, Oct. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Optina, an innovative diagnostics company, leader in Retinal Imaging, Brain Health and Systemic Disease detection, announced today the closing of a CA$24.8 million Series-A round of funding.
Optina's Retinal Deep PhenotypingTM platform obtained FDA Breakthrough Device Designation status in 2019 for its non-invasive and more accessible test to improve diagnosis accuracy and the management of patients undergoing evaluation for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The Series A's primary focus is to support the pivotal study for Optina's awAIr TM cerebral amyloid status test when AD is suspected and will also support the platform development for early detection of systemic diseases.
"DigitalDx is honored to have led a successful round for Optina Diagnostics. At DigitalDx we believe the recent technological advances in health data capture enabled by artificial intelligence (AI) could dramatically impact our ability to diagnose illness earlier, potentially drastically improve patient outcomes and save our healthcare system billions of dollars and could redefine the way we create value in healthcare," says Michele Colucci Founder & CEO of DigitalDx Ventures.
"The Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund recognizes the potential of the Optina technology for capturing a variety of data types at extremely high resolution through a possibly faster and simpler non-invasive eye scan. This technology could be tremendously valuable for advancing efforts in R&D biomarker development. We are excited that Optina will continue to develop their platform in multiple areas and strive to bring meaningful health outcomes for patients," said Debbie Lin, Ph.D., Executive Director of Digital Health Investments, Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund.
Funds will also be used to accelerate the deployment of additional clinical study sites with the installation of Optina's Retinal Deep PhenotypingTM platform at leading institutions in the United States, Canada, and Europe.
"We are eager to put this investment to work. Optina is at the forefront of Systemic Diseases and Brain Health diagnosis and clinical experts are advocating for novel objective tools for early diagnosis and monitoring of at-risk patients for these underserved disease areas. This funding could allow us to make a significant difference by changing mindsets when it comes to Brain Health and hopefully ease millions of worried patients around the world by detecting the causes of their cognitive impairment and providing them access to novel therapeutics," said David Lapointe, CEO Optina Diagnostics.
About Optina Diagnostics
Optina Diagnostics is a Montreal-based company focused on changing mindsets when it comes to Brain Health and systemic diseases. With a first application in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's, Optina challenges the status quo by providing an accurate, simple, and non-invasive optical test to understand the age-related sources of memory loss, empowering millions. optinadx.com.
About DigitalDx Ventures
DigitalDx Ventures is a woman-owned Venture Capital fund in Silicon Valley supporting companies that diagnose illness earlier, less invasively, more accurately and less expensively enabled by artificial intelligence and data. The Fund is committed to producing a triple bottom line: superior financial returns, diversity and access to healthcare for all. There are currently 8 companies in the portfolio providing game changing diagnostics in Alzheimer's diagnosis, kidney health, breast cancer, mental health, maternal health, patient monitoring and multi cancer screening.
About Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund
The Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund is the strategic venture fund of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation. Since 2010, we invest in pioneering science that offers the potential to provide a significant benefit for our patients. Innovation is not restricted by geography; therefore, we invest worldwide.
About Desjardins Capital
Over 45 years strong, Desjardins Capital has a mission to value, support and nurture the best of Quebec entrepreneurship. With assets under management of C$2.8 billion as of June 30, 2021, Desjardins Capital helps contribute to the longevity of more than 610 companies, cooperatives and funds in various sectors from across Quebec. In addition to helping to maintain and create many thousands of jobs, this subsidiary of Desjardins Group offers business owners access to a large business network and supports their business growth. For more information, visit our website, desjardinscapital.com.
Marie-Claude Marchand, Chief Commercial Officer & Communications, Optina Diagnostics Inc., 514.727.1571, mcmarchand@optinadx.com
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