Current Technologies
The Magnum Group, Inc. works with a variety of ophthalmic technologies and companies. Some are seeking licensing agreements or financing; others are searching for strategic partners or acquisitions. These include intraocular, contact and spectacle lenses, refractive surgery, vitreoretinal, capital and diagnostic equipment, and e-commerce. The following are brief summaries on Current Client Technologies. In most cases, additional information is available on Client companies in the form of Executive Summaries, Power Point and Business Plans. (Previous clients and technologies are shown as Selected Previous Clients).
Select a Case to View Details
ENCORE VISION, LLC—Treatment of Presbyopia
HPO OPHTHLAMICS, INC.—Contrast Sensitivity Enhancement/Ocular Protection
KLARITY™—Lubricant Eye Drop
NEUROVISION, INC.—Visual Enhancement Treatment
NOTAL VISION, INC.—Early Detection/Screening for AMD
OPTO GLOBAL—AMD Technology
OPTO GLOBAL—Cataract Surgery Safety
PIXELOPTICS, INC,—Electro Active Ophthalmic Lenses
SURGILIGHT, INC.—Laser Treatment for Presbyopia
TALIA TECHNOLOGY—Retinal/Glaucoma Screening & Diagnostic Platform
THE INNOVATION FACTORY, LLC.—Medical Device Incubator
TRACEY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.—Wavefront Diagnostics
WOUND HEALING OF OKLAHOMA, INC.—Glaucoma Filtration Device
ENCORE VISION, LLC—Treatment of Presbyopia
Encore Vision (“Encore”) is an early-stage company that seeks to develop and treat the underlying cause of presbyopia, increased stiffness of the crystalline lens leading to a loss of accommodation (the ability to focus on near visual objects). Encore’s treatment approach is unique in that it restores the natural softness of the lens without ablating tissue, which can be associated with a loss of transparency and optical power. Encore’s pharmaceutical agents cleave chemical bonds formed within the lens during the aging process, freeing the lens fibers to flex and slide. Currently, the company is developing a selective pharmaceutical treatment using a class of proprietary caged molecules. The treatment follows a two step, non-invasive process: loading of the lens via local ocular delivery, followed by uncaging and activation of the compound in the target tissue with a visible light source. Encore’s caged agents are selectively activated within the lens, thereby limiting exposure of the other ocular tissues. The company is synthesizing and evaluating a series of molecules for safety and efficacy and plans to recommend a lead compound for development in 2009.

A broad initial patent has been granted by the USPTO and multiple additional patent applications are pending. Utilizing University investigators and in-house scientists, Encore’s scientific team has over 75 years of combined experience in crystalline lens research, presbyopia, and optics.

Encore raised Seed Funding in November 2007. While many challenges remain before clinical trials can commence, the company will answer several key questions through the conduct of proof of concept and ocular penetration studies during the first half of 2009. Upon successful completion, the Company anticipates that it will seek institutional financing in mid-2009.

Back To Top

HPO OPHTHLAMICS, INC.—Contrast Sensitivity Enhancement/Ocular Protection
HPO Ophthalmics (“HPO”) is a Roanoke, Virginia based ophthalmic company developing a proprietary technology to improve contrast sensitivity and to reduce retinal tissue damage. The patented product uses a selective wavelength filtering technology to significantly reduce High-Energy Visible Light (“HEVL”), often referred to as blue/violet light, reaching the patient’s eyes. An additional patient benefit is that the technology will enhance perceived vision performance through improved contrast sensitivity, which can be helpful to patients that have had ocular surgery. Because the potential for retinal tissue damage and AMD is universal and many studies indicate that life-long exposure to HEVL can be permanently harmful, the market potential is huge on a global scale. The cost of goods is minimal and the technology can be applied to all ophthalmic corrective devices, including spectacle lenses, contact lenses, intraocular lenses and corneal inlays.

HPO is seeking funding and/or Strategic Partners to complete product development, key scientific experiments, and to commercially launch its products.

Back To Top

KLARITY™—Lubricant Eye Drop
Klarity was developed by Richard Lindstrom, MD for Refractive (LASIK/ PRK) and Postoperative Cataract, Corneal, Glaucoma and Vitreoretinal Surgery patients, as well as Contact Lens wearers after they remove their lenses. Klarity’s proprietary formulation contains special components that reduce corneal edema and create an enriched healing environment for the ocular surface, facilitating nutrition and regeneration of corneal tissue. This product is intended to serve an important and growing niche in the ophthalmic OTC market: patients that need a specialty high performance lubricating eye drop. The product line can also be formulated for certain Rx indications. Extensive product development, performance and focus group studies have been completed. The technology is both patented and the name can be trademarked.

Klarity is seeking a Licensing Agreement for the development and commercialization of this technology.

Back To Top

NEUROVISION, INC.—Visual Enhancement Treatment
NeuroVision has developed a vision enhancement technology that has been scientifically and clinically proven to neurologically improve many vision problems, including presbyopia, myopia, astigmatism, post-refractive eye surgery (LASIK) enhancements, “lazy eye,” etc. Until recently, scientists believed that vision could only be corrected optically. Today, they understand that vision is part of a “System” and visual recognition can be enhanced by re-training the brain to process the visual images it receives from the eye. The technology is totally non-invasive and does not use surgery or medication

NeuroVision was originally founded and the technology developed in Israel, but the Company relocated to Singapore in 2004 because of strong (local) government interest and support in trying to control myopia in the Asian Pacific Region. NeuroVision has spent ~$30 million in a combination of Venture Capital and government funding, and has treated patients in Europe, Asia and recently in the United States. The Company is growing rapidly and has entered into a Strategic Partnership with Essilor; it is also conducting Clinical and Marketing Trials with several other ophthalmic companies. In addition, NeuroVision expanding its research and development capabilities, initiating several key US (doctor) clinical studies, and recruiting well-respected thought leaders within optometry and ophthalmology to serve on its Scientific and Professional Advisory Boards.

NeuroVision has adequate cash reserves, but is seeking Strategic Partners for various product applications: Contact Lenses; Intraocular Lenses; Corneal Inlays; Refractive Surgery; Retail, Consumer, etc.

Back To Top

NOTAL VISION, INC.—Early Detection/Screening for AMD
Notal Vision (“Notal”) is an ophthalmic device company with operations in Israel and the US. Founded in 2000 by two Israeli ophthalmologists, Notal has 30 full-time employees, including three ophthalmologists and four Ph. D. research scientists. The Company has developed a device which monitors Age Related Macular Degeneration (“AMD”) patients and can detect when a patient’s AMD is in the process of converting from Dry AMD to Wet AMD. AMD is the leading cause of blindness for people over the age of 65; there are currently about 15 million people in the US who suffer from advanced forms of this disease, with approximately two million new patients being added each year.

Notal has commercialized a Professional version of its device, used by EyeCare Professionals (“ECP’s”). Frequent monitoring of Dry AMD patients allows an ECP to diagnose “conversion” to Wet AMD and to preemptively treat the disease, potentially saving the patient from irreversible damage to its retinal tissue, leading to blindness. The Company has commenced clinical trials in the US for a “Home” or consumer version of its product, and is expected to commercialize it in the second half of 2008, which will be rented to existing and new patients—thus, creating an annuity business model. Notal’s US distribution is currently managed through the MSS division of TLC Vision, which is the largest ophthalmic and optometric services company in the US. The Company has also established and is currently expanding a direct distribution network outside the US.

Notal has available capital and is interested in acquiring, investing or merging in promising companies or technologies in order to expand its ophthalmic market opportunities.

Back To Top

OPTO GLOBAL—AMD Technology
Opto Global, an Australian ophthalmic company, has developed a proprietary technology that uses a pharmaceutical agent and a proprietary laser system to treat Wet AMD (Macular Degeneration). This system, currently being commercialized in a number of countries outside the US, has been shown to be effective in treating AMD, with patients exhibiting significantly improved vision in several clinical trial studies conducted by the Company. Opto Global believes that this therapy can be effective if employed in a complementary way with existing anti-VEGF technologies currently being used to treat AMD.

Opto Global is seeking a financial or Strategic Partner to expand clinical trials and to pursue global commercialization.

Back To Top

OPTO GLOBAL—Cataract Surgery Safety
Opto Global, an Australian ophthalmic company, has developed a proprietary technology that improves the safety of cataract surgery by controlling the “surge” problem that can occur during the removal of the cataractous lens using phaco emulsification. Popular phaco techniques involve occlusion of the phaco tip to speed up lens removal during the surgical procedure. An uncontrolled break in the occlusion can lead to surges in pressure which can result in damage to the lens capsule. Opto Global’s ESP flow control device can be used with any phaco tubing set; an electronic version of the surge control technology is available as well. Opto Global’s patented device has been validated by an independent testing organization on various phaco systems as demonstrating improved safety for cataract surgery.

Opto Global is seeking a Strategic Partner to commercialize this technology.

Back To Top

PIXELOPTICS, INC.—Electro Active Ophthalmic Lenses
PixelOptics, Inc. (“Pixel”) has developed intelligent ophthalmic lenses to compete in the multi billion dollar spectacle lens market for the correction of presbyopia (loss of near focus after the age of 40+). These electro-active lenses use a proprietary combination of chemistry, electricity, and other components to create smart optics, which will provide patients with the ability to see more naturally and clearly. They are “dynamic” (changing optical power) vs. lenses that are “static” (fixed optical power), which are found in current ophthalmic product offerings. These lenses automatically adjust focusing power electronically, in milliseconds, without any moving parts, to maintain constant in focus vision for various working needs and/or environments. In the future this technology may also be adapted for contact lenses and to provide an entrée to SuperVision (the ability to see better than 20/20).

The Company has an experienced and accomplished management team and development partners; working prototypes and an extensive patent portfolio. The technology does not require government reimbursement or FDA filing and approval. Primary funding to date (Series A & B) has been provided by The Carlyle Group, Delphi Ventures and Stark Investments.

The Magnum Group is a retained business development advisor to Pixel in connection with the commercialization of its products and also provides various strategic and business services.

Back To Top

SURGILIGHT, INC.—Laser Treatment for Presbyopia
SurgiLight (“SurgiLight,” NASDAQ: “SRGLE”) is a small publicly-held company engaged in treating presbyopia via a proprietary Erbium:YAG laser technology, Laser Assisted Scleral Ablation Procedure (“LASAP”). Global Emerging Markets, Inc. (GEM), a NY-based private equity fund, acquired majority ownership of SurgiLight in the spring of 2007. SurgiLight has recruited an exceptional Medical Advisory Board and Clinical Investigators and is resuming the Company’s US Phase 2 Clinical Trials for the LASAP procedure in 2008.

SurgiLight is actively seeking financial/technical/research partner(s) to advance its research and development program for treating presbyopia.

Back To Top

TALIA TECHNOLOGY—Retinal/Glaucoma Screening & Diagnostic Platform
Talia Technology, Ltd. (“Talia” is an Israeli-based company involved in the development and commercialization of imaging systems for screening and early detection of ocular diseases (both back-of-the-eye and glaucoma). Originally founded in 1991, the Company is managed by an experienced team, is privately and venture funded and has an extensive global patent and intellectual property portfolio.
Talia has developed a family of products including the VSL Analyzer and the unique RTA™ System (Retina Thickness Analyzer). The VSL Analyzer was developed to assess the risk of stroke and can be used with RTA or as a stand-alone. The RTA provides a comprehensive examination of the retina and optic disc, enabling detection of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinal pathologies at their earliest stage, when they can still be treated. Reimbursement codes are available for the RTA diagnostic procedures; they are FDA and CE approved; and they have an installed base of more than 800 Systems in clinics, hospitals, and optometric practices worldwide. Over 150 clinical studies, articles and publications validate and support the RTA’s clinical efficacy and usefulness in the market.

Talia is seeking a Strategic Alliance and/or a merger/acquisition with a larger Vision Care diagnostic and/or therapeutic entity.

Back To Top

THE INNOVATION FACTORY—Medical Device Incubator
The Innovation Factory (“TIF”) is one of the premier medical device incubators in the US, responsible for a number of successfully launched medical device companies, both ophthalmic and other medical specialties. TIF’s business model involves identifying and acquiring promising device technologies, financing those technologies through TIF’s venture capital affiliates, incubating those technologies within TIF’s organization of managerial, clinical and technical experts and ultimately building those technologies into independent operating companies for future commercialization. TIF is affiliated with a venture capital fund, Accuitive Medical Ventures. Ophthalmic companies successfully developed by TIF include AcuFocus, AqueSys and NeoVista.

The Magnum Group is a retained business development advisor to TIF in connection with the identification and acquisition of promising early-stage ophthalmic device technologies.

Back To Top

TRACEY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.—Wavefront Diagnostics
Tracy Technologies (“Tracey”) is a Houston, TX based Ray-Tracing Wavefront technology. The Company has a unique technology combining wavefront and corneal topography measurement into a second generation product, which can easily measure complex refractive errors including higher order aberrations on even highly irregular eyes. The Tracey System, which uses EyeSys Corneal Topography technology can be integrated with any Excimer Laser to produce custom LASIK outcomes. In addition, the Tracey System can make other diagnostic measurements of the eye highly beneficial for the latest developments in cataract surgery. The Tracey has been favorably received by the FDA Panel for measuring Accommodating IOL’s. In 2007, Tracey signed a licensing agreement with WaveTouch, LLC., a development stage contact lens Company. Tracey has extensive patent coverage, a very low cost of goods, and an installed global base of over several hundred instruments and is used by many leading clinicians.

Tracey is seeking Strategic Alliance and Licensing Agreements for other ophthalmic applications: Intraocular and Spectacle Lenses; Corneal Inlays/Onlays; Refractive Surgery; and Diagnostics

Back To Top


WOUND HEALING OF OKLAHOMA, INC.—Glaucoma Filtration Device
Wound Healing of Oklahoma (“WHO”) has developed an ophthalmic medical device for the treatment and control of glaucoma called CellPlant™. The CellPlant device was in development for over three years before the initiation of both animal and human clinical studies. It’s unique form and construction material has effectively eliminated many of the complications and drawbacks of conventional pharmaceutical and surgical glaucoma approaches and devices. CellPlant is permanent, easy to implant and has virtually no complications. Because of its unique material this device should have a lower production cost than any other glaucoma device on the market or known to be in development. The device has a total of eleven (11) awarded patents and four pending patents.

The CellPlant device has been successfully implanted in human subjects, (in two separate trials) with various types of severe glaucoma. Patients were followed for 24 months in the first study in China; a second human trial was initiated in 2005 in South Africa and aborted due to the exit of the Sponsoring Company from the ophthalmic market.

WHO is seeking a Strategic Partner to commercialize the CellPlant product in the form of a worldwide licensing or sales agreement. Specific terms of such an agreement are negotiable.