A Bristol start-up that has developed eye health self-monitoring apps has closed a pre-seed funding round of £2m.
OKKO Health was founded by Dr Stephanie Campbell in 2018 and includes a range sight-monitoring apps focusing specifically on macular degeneration.
The funding round was led by Dieter von Holtzbrinck Ventures (DvH Ventures), based in Cologne, Germany, from its Digital Health Fund. The cash will be used to support the launch of the company's apps in the country, OKKO Health said.
OKKO’s apps provide patients with the ability to self-monitor their condition through an interactive smartphone game. Played regularly, the game can inform clinicians and patients of changes in visual acuity, sensitivity to contrast, distortion and colour vision, according to the company.
The company said the funding would also support the creation of new aggregate datasets, providing opportunities for it to better understand how to target treatments for macular degeneration through the deployment of artificial intelligence in the form of machine learning algorithms.
Dr Campbell said: “This funding will support an important foothold in the German healthcare market, a key step in our global growth. It brings us closer to our vision to get predictive eye health care into the hands of people worldwide, and protect our most valuable sense.”
Fabian von Trotha of DvH Ventures added: “OKKO doesn't simply replicate the eye chart on a smartphone, it’s a whole new way of measuring sight. And the team has shown excellent traction to date, partly testament to its clinical experience."
OKKO Health co-developed its app with support from Innovate UK and The Macular Society in Britain. The app has undergone beta testing and is being piloted by several clinical partners in the UK.
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