About Corneal Blindness
Diseases affecting the cornea are a major cause of blindness worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2 million new cases of corneal blindness are reported each year. Over 30 million people in the world are legally blind in one or both eyes from corneal injury and disease, while many more suffer from degraded visual acuity. A recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology* assessed the shortage of corneas at one available cornea for 70 needed.
Several attempts to develop an artificial cornea have failed in creating robust, scalable and reliable solutions. As such, there exists an unmet need for an efficient, long-lasting and affordable solution to corneal pathology, injury and blindness, which would alleviate this suffering and disability and enable patients to fully exploit their vision potential.
*Gain P, Jullienne R, He Z, et al. Global Survey of Corneal Transplantation and Eye Banking. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016;134(2):167–173. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2015.4776
Global Demand
World map showing the supply and demand of corneal transplantation in 148 countries.
"Our survey globally quantified the considerable shortage of corneal graft tissue, with only one cornea available for 70 needed. Efforts to encourage cornea donation must continue in all countries, but it is also essential to develop alternative and/or complementary solutions, such as corneal bio-engineering."*
*Gain P, Jullienne R, He Z, et al. Global Survey of Corneal Transplantation and Eye Banking. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016;134(2):167–173. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2015.4776
CorNeat KPro Advantages
CorNeat KPro is superior to keratoplasty and current keratoprosthetics in the following aspects
Optical Performance
Replicating optimal corneal optics
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Wide field of view
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Simplifying the surgical procedure via direct visualization while
enabling future procedures in a similar fashion
Healing and Retention
Device integrates to the eye wall using nano-fabric that imitates the native ECM
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Fast to heal
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Progressive integration
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Straight forward post-operation recovery
Scalability
Relatively simple, 45-minute operation
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Affordable price
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No time constraints placed on scheduling of the implantation
Safe
No need for tissue
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Cannot carry any infectious agent including COVID-19
CorNeat KPro
The CorNeat KPro is a patented synthetic cornea, keratoprosthesis (KPro), which provides a long-lasting medical solution for corneal blindness, pathology and injury. The CorNeat KPro allows corneally blind patients to fully rehabilitate normal vision, immediately following a relatively straightforward implantation procedure. It’s a unique and innovative device that utilizes a skirt made out of the CorNeat EverMatrix™ to integrate artificial optics within resident ocular tissue, relieving the need for donor tissue.
Current biological solutions (keratoplasty), and previous KPros, are either sutured to, or attempt integration with, the native corneal tissue – a tissue that lacks blood vessels and heals very poorly. In contrast, the CorNeat KPro reliably integrates underneath the conjunctiva, the white part of the eye, a site rich with fibroblasts, which heals quickly and vigorously.
The CorNeat KPro is implanted using a novel and straightforward surgical procedure providing an efficient, therapeutic, and affordable remedy for millions of people with cornea-related visual impairments and is far superior to any available alternative.
Features and Surgical Procedure
The CorNeat KPro implantation procedure is relatively straightforward and does not require the delicate suturing process needed for connecting the donor corneal tissue to the patient’s native cornea and optically aligning it. The CorNeat KPro snaps into the patient’s trephined cornea and is then sutured to the eye using three nondegradable sutures. The process itself minimizes the time the eye is trephined and open (also known as “open sky”) to less than one minute – significantly reducing the risks involved.
The CorNeat KPro lens is designed to enable post-operative ophthalmic examinations and subsequent anterior and posterior segment surgeries (i.e. cataract and retinal surgeries). This is enabled by four openings or “ports,” located on the rim of the lens, at the limbus.
The CorNeat KPro solution is 100% synthetic and does not require the use of donor tissue, therefore it is widely accessible and safe. The device cannot carry infectious agents or cause excessive inflammation, resulting in improved quality of life and more effective patient care.
Indications
Failed keratoplasty
Corneal indications not suitable for keratoplasty, such as:
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Herpes keratitis
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Corneal degenerations
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ICE syndrome
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Aniridia
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SJS
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OCP
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Alkali burns
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Vascularized cornea
Regulatory Path
The CorNeat KPro is following an FDA 510(k) clearance path and CE Marking, expected to be approved for marketing late in 2024, with the following intended use: permanently replacing an opacified or injured cornea for a patient not suited for corneal transplantation, or where a transplant has failed. The pivotal trial planned, which will include 30-35 patients with a one-year follow-up, is designed to provide the clinical and safety data required for approval.
Given the apparent superiority over donor tissue, the company is planning to conduct a study with broader indications including as first line treatment, which will enable it to expand the device's indications for use.
In China, where there are over five million patients waiting for keratoplasty and only a few thousand transplantations a year, CorNeat Vision is planning a study which will facilitate turning the CorNeat KPro into a primary solution for corneal blindness. The study is planned to start in early 2023 and will include 50-60 patients toward the NMPA (previously CFDA) approval.
The plans above are subject to regulatory approvals and requirements.
For more information about clinical trials please visit clinicaltrials.gov.