Eyestem is a pioneering cell therapy company, led by a renowned team of experts in clinical trials, cell therapy, and ophthalmology. With a distinguished advisory board and strategic collaborations with industry leaders, Eyestem is committed to democratizing access to cutting-edge therapies worldwide.
About Eyestem
Eyestem is dedicated to revolutionizing healthcare through innovative cell therapies. Founded by a top-class management team and supported by world-class advisory board members, the company aims to create a scalable platform for treating incurable diseases. Their integrated manufacturing and quality processes drive a cycle of innovation, reducing time to market for groundbreaking therapies.
Eyestem’s lead product, Eyecyte-RPETM, targets Dry AMD, the primary cause of incurable blindness affecting 170 million globally. Pivotal studies underway at Oregon Health and Science University mark a significant step towards bringing hope and healing to millions afflicted by this devastating condition.
The Team
Dr. Jogin Desai, Founder & CEO, Eyestem, leverages 15+ years of business leadership from Quintiles and Cenduit. His expertise drives Eyestem’s mission to innovate cell therapies globally.
Dr. Rajani Battu, Co-founder & CMO, Eyestem, blends extensive ophthalmology experience with a recent PhD. Her dedication fuels Eyestem’s vision for advanced retinal disease treatments.
Dr. Rajarshi Pal, Co-founder & Chief Scientist, Eyestem, merges 15 years of stem cell research from academia and industry. His leadership propels Eyestem’s strides in regenerative medicine.
Dr. Dhruv Sareen, Co-founder & Science Officer, Eyestem, pioneers personalized stem cell models for neurological disorders. His expertise propels Eyestem’s mission to transform healthcare.
Harshini Surendran, Senior Research Associate, Eyestem, brings biotech experience from renowned institutions. Her dedication drives Eyestem’s AMD treatment development.
Mamatha Jayagopal, Manager – Finance and Administration, Eyestem, ensures financial integrity and administrative efficiency. Her role is critical in sustaining Eyestem’s operations.
Dr. Lalitha Soundarajan, Research Scientist, Eyestem, specializes in retinal development and axon guidance. Her work focuses on RPE cell generation for AMD treatment.
Rashmi Prabhu, Senior Research Fellow, Eyestem, specializes in iPSC-based models for brain disorders. Her research contributes to Eyestem’s Parkinson’s Disease treatment efforts.
Swathi Narasimhaiah, Senior Research Fellow, Eyestem, develops iPSC-derived lung cells for CoVID-19 research. Her work aims to combat pulmonary fibrosis.
Janavi Subramani, Technology Associate (C-CAMP), Eyestem, collaborates on modeling Oculocutaneous Albinism Type 1A. Her work supports Eyestem’s drug screening efforts.
Prijesh John, Research Associate, Eyestem, focuses on CRISPR/Cas9 gene correction for retinal disorders. His research drives Eyestem’s therapeutic development.
Ashwin KM, Quality Assurance (QA) Manager, Eyestem, ensures compliance with regulatory standards. His role is essential for transitioning Eyestem’s products to market.
Niharika Patlolla, Senior Research Fellow, Eyestem, specializes in gene augmentation strategies for retinal disorders. Her research supports Eyestem’s therapeutic development.
Scientific advisors for Eyestem include Dr. Kapil Bharti, Prof. David Gamm, Dr. Renee Ryals, Dr. SriniVas R. Sadda, Dr. Mahendra Rao, Prof. Ramaswamy Subramanian, Dr. Jyotsna Dhawan, and Dr. Su Xinyi.
Product Pipeline
Eyestem’s product pipeline is focused on developing scalable cell replacement therapies to address incurable diseases globally. Their lead asset, Eyecyte-RPETM, targets Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) by replacing lost retinal pigment epithelium cells. Scheduled for first in human trials in Q2, 2023, this allogenic product offers hope to patients in early stages of AMD and aims to halt vision loss in later stages. Additionally, Eyestem plans to capture significant market share across various conditions, including Dry AMD, Retinitis Pigmentosa, and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, demonstrating their commitment to quality and affordability in cell therapies.
Understanding AMD and Eyestem’s Breakthrough
AMD, a leading cause of vision loss in the elderly, affects the retina’s macular region, impairing central vision. Eyestem’s innovative solution, Eyecyte-RPETM, aims to address dry AMD, which lacks effective treatment. By replacing damaged retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with iPSC-derived RPE cells, Eyestem seeks to restore vision. Preclinical studies in animals demonstrate promising outcomes, showcasing survival, integration, and functional efficacy. With meticulous attention to manufacturing processes, Eyecyte-RPETM is poised for first-in-human trials, offering hope to millions affected by AMD globally.
Understanding Retinitis Pigmentosa and Eyestem’s Approach
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a rare inherited retinal disease causing irreversible blindness. It starts with gradual degeneration of rods, affecting night and side vision, progressing to cones and central vision. Eyestem’s Eyecyte-PRPTM offers hope by replacing damaged photoreceptors with healthy ones derived from iPSCs. Through rigorous in vitro studies and upcoming animal trials, Eyestem aims to validate the efficacy of Eyecyte-PRPTM in collaboration with the National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi. This breakthrough holds promise to combat RP and restore vision for millions affected globally.
Awards
- Awarded the most innovative startup in the country across all categories at the prestigious Economic Times 2022 awards.
- Was announced as one of the very few startups selected by CCAMP, India’s premier biotech incubator, for equity investment under its SEED scheme.
- Recognized as one of the top 30 innovators in a special edition book released by the Karnataka Chief Minister at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2018.
Final Thoughts
Eyestem stands at the forefront of innovation in the field of regenerative medicine, poised to revolutionize the treatment landscape for debilitating diseases such as AMD and RP. With a dedicated team of experts and a robust pipeline of cutting-edge therapies, Eyestem is committed to providing hope and healing to millions worldwide. Through groundbreaking research, strategic collaborations, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, the company continues to push the boundaries of science and redefine possibilities. With accolades recognizing its ingenuity and impact, Eyestem is not just shaping the future of healthcare but also transforming lives, one breakthrough at a time.
