Tear Film Innovations
An early-stage company developing break-through products for the treatment of evaporative dry eye and related syndromes.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| investor investor investor | €0.0 | round | |
$8.5m | Series B | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
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Tear Film Innovations (TFI), established in 2012 by Brian Kelleher and Kabir Gambhir, is a medical device company focused on treatments for evaporative dry eye disease. The company operates in the ocular health market, providing solutions for eye care professionals to treat Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), the primary cause of dry eye. TFI's business model centers on the sale of its proprietary iLux device and associated disposable components to ophthalmologists and optometrists.
The company's journey began with the in-house invention and development of its core technology by its founders. A significant milestone was achieved in December 2017 when the iLux device received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This was followed by a successful Series A funding round of $9.22 million in November 2017 and a Series B round of $8.5 million in May 2018, led by investors including Visionary Ventures and Bluestem Capital, bringing total funding to $17.7 million. The commercial launch of the iLux system occurred in May 2018. The company's trajectory culminated in its acquisition by Alcon, a global leader in eye care, in December 2018, which aimed to expand TFI's technology to a broader global market.
TFI's flagship product, the iLux System, is a handheld, portable device used by practitioners for in-office treatment of MGD. The device works by applying controlled, light-based heat to the eyelids via disposable silicone pads, melting the hardened oils blocking the meibomian glands. A key feature is the integrated magnifying lens, allowing the clinician to observe the gland orifices and apply manually-controlled compression to express the melted blockages. This process is designed to be completed in a few minutes per treatment zone, offering a tailored procedure for each patient's needs.
Keywords: Tear Film Innovations, iLux System, Meibomian Gland Dysfunction, evaporative dry eye, Alcon, ophthalmic devices, eye care technology, Brian Kelleher, Kabir Gambhir, ocular health, dry eye treatment, medical device, Visionary Ventures, FDA 510(k) clearance, ophthalmic treatment, optometry, blepharitis, tear film stability, in-office procedure, ocular surface disease