HBM Partners and NIBC Co-Investments Holding B.V. are new investors in i-Optics’ game changing innovations.
Eye diagnostics innovator i-Optics announced today the successful closing of the second phase of the D financing round with an investment of 5.1 million euro. This adds to the 6.7 million euro raised in 2012, bringing the D round to a total of 11.8 million euro.
The 5.1 million euro funding is provided by new investors, namely the leading healthcare investor HBM Partners from Switzerland and Netherlands-based NIBC Bank N.V. (“NIBC”). Also participating was the company’s management, showing the strong commitment and confidence of the team in the success of i-Optics. This strong confidence also holds true for the current investors, with lead investor Aescap Venture and family fund De Hoge Dennen who increased their stake in the company in the first phase of the D round.
The investment will allow the company to accelerate the global commercial roll-out of its two game-changing innovations. First, there is EasyScan, the world’s smartest retinal imaging camera that enables affordable diagnostic eye care worldwide, and as such directly contributes to preventing blindness around the globe. The second innovation is Cassini, the most accurate cornea topographer, that will help improve cataract surgery outcome and specialty contact lens fitting.
Jeroen Cammeraat, CEO of i-Optics: “Fifteen years from now, there should be no reason to lose your vision because of inadequate or unavailable eye diagnosis and treatment solutions. That is our vision. Our smarter, more affordable products make eye care available close to the patient, anywhere in the world.” The company has recently opened offices in the United States and Germany, and is preparing to enter the Chinese market. “With the ability to supply eye care specialists world-wide, and our entering into partnerships with leading optician retail chains, care providers and national governments we get closer to our vision every day.”
Dr. Chandra P. Leo, partner at HBM Partners and Robert Ian Oei, Managing Director at NIBC, will join i-Optics’ Supervisory Board as a member and as an observer respectively. Dr. Leo of HBM Partners believes there is a tremendous potential for smart, easy-to-use and patient-friendly solutions in the healthcare market. “The EasyScan camera offers a great way to diagnose sight-threatening diseases better, faster at lower costs. We are impressed to see how the company uses cutting-edge technologies while benefiting from volume-cost advantages.”
Patrick Krol, chairman of the i-Optics board and representing leading investor Aescap Venture, comments: “i-Optics enjoyed a successful first year of sales in 2012. This shows the market and business potential of smarter eye diagnosis solutions offered by i-Optics. We expect substantial acceleration of revenue growth in the coming years, making i-Optics a global success story in the eye care market.”
Robert Ian Oei from NIBC comments “i-Optics ability to scale up commercially and rapidly build a global business makes it an attractive investment opportunity for NIBC. The company makes an excellent fit with our ambition as a bank to back high-growth and enterprising companies within our sectors of expertise”.
About HBM Partners
HBM Partners is a globally active, healthcare-focused investment management group headquartered in Switzerland. The funds advised by HBM invest in private and public companies across North America, Europe, India and China. Since 2001, HBM’s portfolio has generated more than 40 trade sales and IPOs of pharma/biotech, medtech and diagnostics companies. More information can be found at: www.hbmpartners.com
About NIBC
NIBC is the bank of choice for decisive financial moments. Their Corporate Banking activities offer a combination of advice, financing and co-investment in the sectors Food, Agri & Retail, Industries & Manufacturing, Infrastructure & Renewables, Commercial Real Estate, Oil & Gas Services, Shipping & Intermodal and Technology, Media & Services. Consumer Banking offers residential mortgages and online retail saving deposits via NIBC Direct in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
Headquartered in The Hague, NIBC also has offices in Brussels, Frankfurt, London and Singapore. For more information please visit their website: www.nibc.com