Vinci Pharmaceuticals, a specialty eye care company based in Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey, has closed a Series A financing of more than $8 million to advance its EPIPLANT drug delivery platform. Dynagrow Capital led the round, with support from MintPharma Capital.

The raise follows $8.5 million in seed financing, bringing Vinci's total funding to more than $16.5 million.

What EPIPLANT Is

Many of the most common treatments for retinal diseases, including those affecting the macula, are delivered by injection directly into the eye, often every month or two. The treatment burden is heavy, and many patients stop treatment early, which can lead to vision loss.

EPIPLANT is designed to avoid that. It is a bioerodible implant placed on the outer surface of the eye, against the sclera, that releases medication to the retinal tissues over time without injections into the eye. The platform can currently deliver small-molecule drugs and is designed to work with a range of active ingredients.

The technology was developed in the lab of retina specialist Karl Csaky, MD, PhD, and is licensed from the Retina Foundation of the Southwest in Dallas. Vinci says it holds multiple granted patents and has completed preliminary preclinical testing.

How the Money Will Be Used

The proceeds will fund manufacturing, testing and release of its lead product, EPIPLANT VCI-002, under good manufacturing practice standards, as well as a planned Phase 1/2a first-in-human clinical trial in 2027.

Co-founder, chairman and CEO Philip A. Gioia described the financing as an important step toward that first human study. Dynagrow Capital managing director Sarah Hassan said a needle-free option could help reduce the high dropout rates caused by the burden of current treatment.

Why It Matters

Retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema are among the leading causes of vision loss, and the drugs used to treat them form one of the largest markets in ophthalmology. Much of the industry's recent innovation has focused on making treatments last longer between injections.

Vinci is aiming further, removing the intraocular injection entirely. The approach still has to show in humans that it can deliver enough drug to the retina safely and consistently. With the Series A closed, the company has funding to manufacture clinical supply and bring EPIPLANT to its first patients.

Source

PR Newswire — "Vinci Pharmaceuticals Inc. Closes More Than $8 Million Series A Financing to Advance EPIPLANT™ Drug Delivery Platform"