Glaukos Corp., known for developing innovative new technologies designed to treat glaucoma, has acquired a new early-stage sensor technology from DOSE Medical, dubbed the intraocular pressure sensor system.

Kristopher Sturgis

Glaukos Corp. continues to establish itself as a leader in the glaucoma technology space. This week the company acquired DOSE Medical Corporation's intraocular pressure (IOP) sensor system -- a new wireless system designed to transform glaucoma therapy through micro-scale device and drug delivery platforms.

The acquisition includes all sensor system assets and related liabilities from DOSE medical for $5.5 million. DOSE will also receive performance-based considerations up to $9.5 million upon certain development, clinical, and regulatory achievement milestones.

The IOP system was designed to feature a micro-invasive ocular implant that was created to capture and store short-interval IOP measurements from glaucoma patients over extended periods of time, before transmitting that data to the patient's physician to help them make more informed treatment decisions. The wireless system also comes with a rechargeable battery to allow the sensor to operate for years, and is designed for ab-interno insertion.

The company said the technology is still in its early developmental phase, but offers a very promising tool for glaucoma patients who could benefit from the ability to measure the effects of glaucoma on a 24-hour basis. The company also mentioned the system's long-term potential where opportunities could be created to help enhance the sensor platform with additional diagnostic and IOP management capabilities.

Glaukos initially made its mark on the industry in 2012 when it received FDA approval for its iStent system, a micro-invasive surgical device designed to prevent eye pressure buildup during cataract surgery patients with glaucoma. The device itself measures just 1.0 mm long and 0.33 mm wide, making it the smallest medical device ever approved by FDA.

More recently, in 2015, Glaukos acquired the iDose product line to help deliver new glaucoma therapy solutions to the more than 4.5 million people affected by the condition in the United States alone.

As Glaukos moves forward with its research and development of the IOP sensor, Thomas Burns, the company's president and CEO, said the new technology will complement the company's strategy to transform glaucoma therapies in an effort to address a full range of disease severities.

Considering glaucoma affects more than 80 million people worldwide, researchers will continue to look for innovative new solutions to address the disease, which has been known to cause irreversible vision loss. Glaukos said it plans to continue developing IOP technologies and therapies, as reducing intraocular pressure is the only proven treatment for glaucoma at this time.

Kristopher Sturgis is a contributor to Qmed.