About us
OtusOphta Ltd. is a Finnish biotechnology startup established in August 2024. Our mission is to challenge the current state-of-the-art treatments of dry eye disease (DED) and bring forth improved innovative solutions for the benefit of the patients and society.
The founding team at OtusOphta Ltd., CEO Kari Lehmussaari, CCO Roland Mirow and CSO Filip Ekholm, are committed to this cause.
We firmly believe that enhancing the mode of action of the tear film lipid layer (TFLL) through the use of improved human tear film lipids makes for a sustainable and effective strategy to counteracting the defects caused by DED. Follow us on our journey as we aim to revolutionize the treatment of DED!
Dry Eye Disease
DED affects 300-500 million people globally. It forms a significant public health concern and severe societal economic burden. The incidence of DED is expected to increase in the future as the risk factors of the disease is connected to strong global trends such as the aging population, our multiscreen lifestyle, increased use of contact lenses, eye surgery and environmental factors. While DED can manifest itself through different routes, the symptoms of dry eyes are similar and range from pain, irritation and blurred vision to ulcers and permanent scarring of the ocular surface.
From a molecular perspective, DED arises when the function of the tear film protecting the ocular surface is compromised. This leads to tear film instability, increased evaporation of aqueous tear fluid (>80% of DED cases are of the evaporative subtype) and subsequent drying of the eyes. Our treatment concept is based on counteracting these defects on the molecular level by replenishing the function of the tear film.
Risk factors of dry eye disease:
Aging population
multiscreen lifestyle
contact lens use
ocular surgery
environmental conditions
pharmaceuticals
Aging population
multiscreen
lifestyle
contact lens use
ocular surgery
environmental
conditions
pharmaceuticals
Technology
Our technological base stems from a decade of fundamental research devoted to understanding the structure and function of the human TFLL. This thin lipid film is responsible for stabilizing the tear film and moderating the evaporation rate of aqueous tear fluid in healthy eyes. Through a combined chemistry and biophysics approach we were the first team in the world to systematically profile the properties of the main lipid classes and individual species found in the human tear film. Our scientific breakthroughs led to the discovery of key lipid species which are essential to the maintenance of ocular surface health.
We have optimized the performance of these species and arrived at a first in class lipid technology which targets the main defects caused by DED. Our technology focuses on reviving and strengthening the mode of action of the natural TFLL which is compromised in dry eye patients. This is accomplished by counteracting tear film instability, the increased evaporation rate of aqueous tear fluid and damage caused to ocular surface cells. Our preclinical program has been successful and we are currently progressing towards the clinical phase.
Key features:
Human tear
film lipids
Improved
spreadability
Anti-evaporative
properties
Improved
cell recovery
Human tear
film lipids
Improved
spreadability
Anti-evaporative
properties
Improved
cell recovery
Team
Our combined expertise includes decades of high-level industrial research and development of medical and ophthalmic products, a considerable track-record in business development and management within the medical and ophthalmology sector, and, a unique background focused on high profile ocular surface research from a molecular perspective.
Kari Lehmussaari
Chief Executive Officer
tää jää tyhjäksi
Read more
K. Lehmussaari has extensive experience from working in the pharmaceutical industry, having held various positions throughout his career. Notably, he served as Head of R&D at Santen for over 20 years, where he was responsible for the development of several ophthalmic products from early laboratory stages through to market launch.
Roland Mirow
Chief commercialization officer
tää jää tyhjäksi
Read more
R. Mirow has a considerable track-record from working with management consulting and within the pharmaceutical industry. He has served in executive positions at various pharmaceutical companies (e.g. Santen, Novartis, Ciba-Geigy, Katairo) and has a long experience in top management consulting (Boston Consulting Goup, A.T. Kearney, Cambridge Pharma Consultancy / IMS Consulting).
Filip Ekholm
Chief Scientific Officer
tää jää tyhjäksi
Read more
F. Ekholm has a PhD. in organic chemistry and has been working with medicinal chemistry research and development projects in academia and the industry for +20 years (Åbo Akademi University, Glykos Finland Ltd., University of Helsinki). He is an Assoc. Prof. in organic chemistry (University of Helsinki) and the principal investigator in charge of the pre-corneal tear film research program from which our RevEye technology stems.
Janika Olenius
Product Development Manager
tää jää tyhjäksi
Read more
J. Jäntti is a pharmacist by training who is currently finalizing her PhD-studies in drug research. She has considerable expertise from working with the development of novel lipid formulations for treatment of dry eye disease at the University of Eastern Finland.
Tuomo Viitaja
Preclinical Operations Manager
tää jää tyhjäksi
Read more
T. Viitaja has a backround in chemistry and engineering. He holds a PhD. in chemistry from the University of Helsinki and has extensive expertise in lipid biophysics and has made significant contributions to the understanding of the structure and function of tear film lipids.
Publications
A collection of recent representative scientific studies highlighting the importance of the TFLL in combating dry eye symptoms as well as studies performed on tear film lipids and lipid based eye drops: