DefEYE, Inc.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ExSight Ventures, a leading venture capital firm focused on transformational eye care innovations, today announced its investment in DefEYE, Inc., a rapidly growing ocular company developing decellularized placental-based tissue solutions to transform and personalize therapeutic approaches in eye care. DefEYE is pioneering the ocular biologics landscape with an innovative approach to both ocular surface disease and ocular surgical management. The company is focused on delivering a portfolio of innovative decellularized biologic solutions that optimize treatment and management of various eye care conditions, including ocular surface diseases, pterygium surgery, and other surgical interventions. "ExSight's investment defies our initial skepticism of the technology and the market," said Firas Rahhal, cofounder at ExSight Ventures. "We were introduced to DefEYE's CEO through a trusted advisor, friend, and colleague. Continued conversations with ExSight's proprietary network of ophthalmologists across the nation revealed several critical factors, including better clinical outcomes, improved patient experience, and consequently, growing adoption." The funding will enable DefEYE to accelerate commercialization through continued growth and expansion. ExSight Ventures is not alone in recognizing DefEYE's potential after initial skepticism. Neel Desai, MD recently shared, "I came to it with an equal amount of skepticism. What I immediately noticed was that I was getting clinical outcomes just as good — if not faster — and patients were far more comfortable." See Dr. Desai's full comments on DefEYE on LinkedIn. "We work hard to find exceptional, driven, dynamic entrepreneurs at ExSight Ventures," shared ExSight co-founder Dr. Michael Nissen. "Dr. Sambursky embodies those traits. We are happy to back Rob and DefEYE's portfolio of decellularized biologics for the eye." “ExSight Ventures’ deep knowledge and long-standing commitment to advancing innovation in the ophthalmic space make them an ideal strategic partner for DefEYE,” said Rob Sambursky, MD, Chief Executive Officer of DefEYE, Inc. “Their investment represents a strong validation of our vision to redefine ocular biologics through decellularized placental-based technology. Together, we are positioned to accelerate the adoption of regenerative therapies that elevate the clinical management of both ocular surface disease and ocular surgery.” About DefEYE, Inc. DefEYE, Inc. is a rapidly growing ocular company on a mission to transform and personalize therapeutic approaches in eye care. DefEYE uses decellularized placental-based tissue to redefine the ocular biologics landscape with an innovative approach to both ocular surface disease and ocular surgical management. For more information, visit defeye.com About ExSight Ventures ExSight Ventures (EV) is a venture capital firm built to serve an underserved corner of the innovation economy: early-stage life sciences. With deep clinical expertise and venture discipline, we stand as trusted partners for innovators transforming ophthalmology. Our commitment is to back pioneering teams advancing breakthrough innovations to patients who need them most. www.exsightventures.com

Oct. 30, 2025 -- Celularity Inc. (Nasdaq: CELU) (“Celularity”), a regenerative and cellular medicine company addressing age-related and degenerative diseases, announced today a strategic partnership with DefEYE, Inc. (“DefEYE”), a newly established ophthalmic product and technology company. Celularity has executed an exclusive license & pricing arrangement with DefEYE on the backend of Celularity’s in-kind investment in DefEYE’s $12MM Series Seed Preferred Equity funding round. DefEYE was established to build on Verséa Ophthalmics’ commercial momentum, reflected in significant year-over-year sales growth since its August 2022 launch. According to DefEYE, sales increased in 2024 by nearly 70% over the prior year. DefEYE expects to use the proceeds of its Series Seed Preferred Equity round to launch and scale a robust portfolio of decellularized biologic solutions for eye care, including: Single and tri-layer Decellularized Amniotic Basement Membrane, Biovance® and Biovance® 3L Ocular, respectively. Interfyl®, a flowable human connective tissue derived from the chorionic plate. Collaborative research and development for future commercial products. Celularity granted DefEYE an exclusive sublicense to Celularity’s ophthalmic biologics portfolio, which includes Biovance®, Biovance® 3L, Interfyl®, and CentaFlex. Celularity will be the exclusive contract manufacturer for DefEYE’s portfolio of ophthalmic biologics solutions. “The partnership reflects a strategic opportunity to align for both companies and signals the start of a promising new chapter for regenerative therapies in eye care,” said Robert J. Hariri, M.D., Ph.D., Celularity’s Chairman and CEO. “Our in-kind investment and exclusive license and pricing agreement exemplify Celularity’s commitment to drive innovation through strategic partnerships. We are excited to be part of DefEYE’s focused expansion into the ophthalmic space and to demonstrate the transformative power of placental-derived regenerative biologic solutions. This strategy fits into our objective of accessing new markets for our portfolio of commercial products,” Hariri said. DefEYE’s leadership includes key personnel from the original Verséa Ophthalmics team, ensuring continuity of expertise and relationships in the rapidly evolving eye care market. Celularity has the right to name one member of DefEYE’s five-member board of directors. “This strategic collaboration with Celularity strengthens our capabilities and core competencies,” said Rob Sambursky, M.D., CEO of DefEYE, Inc. “With Celularity’s deep scientific and manufacturing expertise, we believe that we will be well positioned to scale and deliver meaningful clinical management solutions to both physicians and patients.” Celularity Inc. (Nasdaq: CELU) is a regenerative and aging-related cellular medicine company developing, manufacturing, and commercializing advanced biomaterial products and allogeneic and autologous cell therapies, all derived from the postpartum placenta. Celularity believes that by harnessing the placenta’s unique biology and ready availability, it can develop therapeutic solutions that address significant unmet global needs for effective, accessible, and affordable therapies that target fundamental aging mechanisms like cellular senescence, age-related chronic inflammation, and tissue degeneration. DefEYE, Inc. is a rapidly growing ocular company on a mission to transform and personalize therapeutic approaches in eye care. The company focuses on delivering a portfolio of innovative decellularized biologic solutions that optimize treatment and management of various eye care conditions, including ocular surface diseases, pterygium surgery, and other surgical interventions. The content above comes from the network. if any infringement, please contact us to modify.