Market Assessment - Strategic assessment of a therapeutic, bioactive contact lens

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Diseases of the cornea, which ultimately cause corneal scarring, are the third most common cause of blindness worldwide. Additionally, corneal injuries and ulcerations, which also lead to corneal scars, result in at least an additional 2 million new cases of monocular blindness. Corneal wound healing is a complex process that requires coordination of various processes including cell migration, cell proliferation, re-stratification, as well as matrix deposition and tissue remodeling. This remodeling is known to be mediated by a number of growth factors, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), which are central to the proper management of corneal wounds. In an effort to aid healing, standard contact lenses are used to bandage the corneal surface after injury; these have limited therapeutic benefit. We propose a bandage silicone hydrogel contact lens with tethered EGF that can accelerate the corneal wound healing response and more importantly control the remodelling process and progression of corneal fibrosis, effectively reducing scarring while maintaining the high oxygen permeability needed for ocular health. This technology could be used in the frontline treatment of cornea-related injury, preventing corneal scarring and reducing associated vision loss and the need for corneal transplants, improving patient outcomes. We request funds to complete a Market Assessment to determine the market segments for this product and what barriers may exist to entry, which will allow us to then create a business plan for successful technology transfer and commercialization.