OBERKOCHEN, Germany—Zeiss Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of the Zeiss Group, has announced its participation in the latest funding round of Maculaser, a Finnish medtech company developing a non-damaging, temperature-controlled retinal laser therapy. The funding round, co-led by Zeiss Ventures and M2care, will support Maculaser’s plan to initiate clinical development for its personalized retinal laser treatment. Maculaser specializes in advanced laser treatments for retinal diseases, particularly age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic maculopathy, the company advised.
Based on research from Aalto University in Finland, the company has developed a patented, non-damaging, temperature-controlled laser technology that enables real-time, personalized temperature control of retinal tissue during treatment. By activating the eye’s natural cellular defense mechanisms and targeting affected retinal areas early before irreversible damage occurs, the company aims to delay or even prevent the progression to late stage AMD, reduce the risk of severe vision loss, and offer an outpatient, repeatable procedure that can be seamlessly integrated into regular eyecare, the announcement stated.
“We are convinced that Maculaser’s temperature-controlled retinal laser technology enables earlier intervention and could significantly delay—or even prevent—the progression of retinal diseases. This may ultimately improve patient outcomes by providing an earlier, safer, and more effective option than current treatments,” said professor Dr. Boris Hofmann, head of Zeiss Ventures.
By enabling earlier, non-damaging intervention in retinal disease, Maculaser’s innovative technology has the potential to shift retinal care from management of late-stage damage to proactive preservation of vision, the company maintains, supporting ophthalmologists and patients with a new, data-driven laser therapy option.
“Having Zeiss as a strategic investor provides Maculaser with both capital and expertise in ophthalmic innovation and healthtech, strengthening our ability to bring temperature-controlled retinal laser therapy into clinical practice and ultimately benefit millions of patients,” said Jani Tirronen, CEO and co-founder of Maculaser.
