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CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Luminopia Inc., a digital health company pioneering a new class of treatments for neuro-visual disorders, announced its first international licensing agreement with ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., a Japanese multinational corporation specializing in consumer products and pharmaceuticals, with a primary focus on eyecare. The agreement grants ROHTO exclusive rights to develop and commercialize Luminopia’s digital therapy for pediatric amblyopia in the Japanese market.
Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is the leading cause of vision loss in children globally and affects approximately 2 percent of children in Japan, according to the announcement. Luminopia offers a modern, FDA-cleared therapy that allows pediatric patients to watch television through a virtual reality headset for one hour a day, six days a week, as treatment, Luminopia said in the announcement.
For decades, patients have relied on eye patching, which requires covering the stronger eye for multiple hours per day, the company explained, adding that patching can make school, everyday activities and social interactions more challenging, leading to poor compliance and a significant unmet need. Luminopia provides an alternative to patching that encourages the eyes to work together rather than simply penalizing the stronger eye, according to the company.
Through the partnership, treatment is delivered through the modification of popular children’s media content, including shows licensed from Pokemon and Crunchyroll, the announcement said. Under the terms of the agreement, ROHTO will lead clinical development and commercialization efforts in Japan. The partnership demonstrates the scalability of Luminopia’s therapeutic platform and commercial model and serves as a blueprint for bringing its FDA-cleared therapy to patients globally, Luminopia said.
“This partnership with ROHTO serves as validation of both our technology and its potential impact within the Japanese market,” said Scott Xiao, founder and CEO of Luminopia. “ROHTO’s strong relationships with Japanese ophthalmologists, combined with their well-established brand and extensive experience working with the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, make them the ideal partner to bring this therapy to children and families in need.”
“We are pleased to partner with Luminopia. Building on ROHTO’s experience in eyecare, we look forward to advancing a new option for children with amblyopia and their families in Japan,” said ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.