“With exclusive global licensing rights to AXIM’s Eye Diagnostics portfolio, Verséa will be introducing a new innovative, rapid, tear-based, POC lab-testing platform designed specifically to assist eye-care clinicians in detecting and quantifying a variety of biomarkers associated with external ocular disorders.”
Verséa Ophthalmics, LLC, a business division of Verséa Holdings, Inc. (“Verséa”), signed exclusive global commercial partnership agreement with AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc. (OTCQB: AXIM) (“AXIM Biotech” or “AXIM”), an international healthcare solutions company targeting ocular surface diseases.
The agreement will provide Verséa with the exclusive commercial right to AXIM’s proprietary portfolio of point-of-care (POC) lab testing readers and three key biomarker diagnostic tests designed specifically to assist eye-care physicians in detecting and quantifying biomarkers associated with aqueous deficient Dry Eye Disease and non-specific allergic conjunctivitis. The three AXIM’s key biomarker tests – the Ocular Immunoglobulin E (IgE) test, the Lactoferrin test, and the future MMP-9 test – require the collection of 0.5 microliters in tears and provide quantitative results in under 10 minutes, an industry-leading return time.
Verséa plans to launch IgE and Lactoferrin tests at the upcoming 2022 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and American Academy of Optometry (AAOPT) conferences. The MMP-9 test is anticipated to follow in the next 18-24 months.
In recent months, AXIM has been preparing for the scaling of production of its tests in anticipation of an agreement such as the one reached with Verséa and is now prepared to support new orders associated with the agreement and subsequent launch.
“This is an exciting day for AXIM, one that has been years in the making – this is the moment where we move from a development-stage biotech company to a revenue generating healthcare organization,” said John W. Huemoeller II, Chief Executive Officer of AXIM Biotech. “Since the development of our novel ocular diagnostic tests and subsequent success in proving their effectiveness, rather than building an internal team to commercialize the tests, we have been searching for a partner with a solid commercial infrastructure and a firm commitment to eye care, capable of bringing our tests to clinical offices on a global scale. I am more than confident that we have found that partner in Verséa. With existing sales channels to support their human amniotic membrane therapeutics, Verséa has expressed strong support for our business and a true excitement for adding our technology to their expanding portfolio of healthcare solutions. I personally believe that together, we will be able to change the landscape of dry eye disease diagnosis.”
The agreement is an illustration of Verséa’s recent commitment to the eye care space following its appointment of Dr. Rob Sambursky, MD, as their President of Corporate and of Verséa Ophthalmics, a new business division set to provide innovative solutions for the diagnosis, treatment and management of ocular surface diseases.
“We are delighted to be selected by AXIM as their exclusive partner for the commercialization of their innovative suite of diagnostic solutions,” said Sean Fetcho, CEO and co-founder of Verséa. “With exclusive global licensing rights to AXIM’s Eye Diagnostics portfolio, Verséa will be introducing a new innovative, rapid, tear-based, POC lab-testing platform designed specifically to assist eye-care clinicians in detecting and quantifying a variety of biomarkers associated with external ocular disorders.”
The President of Verséa Ophthalmics, Dr. Sambursky, MD, explained the significance of the new diagnostic technology: “Mild allergic conjunctivitis is frequently confused with dry eye, while more severe allergic disease is frequently misdiagnosed as viral conjunctivitis; yet the appropriate clinical management and treatments are different. The AXIM diagnostic technology will allow eye doctors to not only identify and differentiate clinically overlapping conditions but also drive more targeted therapeutic interventions. Having access to real-time quantitative results (a specific number) at the office visit will significantly help to confirm therapeutic impact, leading to overall improved personalized patient care.”
Lactoferrin is a protein contained in tears that protects the ocular surface with its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Lower concentrations of lactoferrin have been demonstrated in patients with dry eye, which is associated with decreased aqueous tear production. Ocular Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is a biomarker for allergies and a key biomarker primarily associated with allergic conjunctivitis. Both tests are FDA-cleared and have dedicated Medicare CPT codes.
The third test, a quantitative tear Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) test, is a significant advancement in the measurement of the intensity of inflammation affecting dry eye patients. Being a quantitative test for MMP-9, this test allows for a more objective classification and management of dry eye disease as well as subsequent pre-surgical and post-surgical therapeutic guidance. Post-surgical complications, such as worsening symptoms of dry eye and refractive error, may be mitigated by identifying and treating dry eye prior to cataract and refractive surgery corneal measurements.
About Verséa™ Ophthalmics
Verséa™ Ophthalmics, LLC, a division of Verséa Holdings, Inc. (“Verséa”), is one of the fastest growing U.S. healthcare companies on a mission to revolutionize eye care. It is specialized in the sale and distribution of innovative solutions for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of ocular surface diseases. To learn more, visit: www.versea.com.
About AXIM® Biotechnologies
Founded in 2014, AXIM® Biotechnologies, Inc. (AXIM) is a vertically integrated research and development company focused on improving the landscape for the diagnosis of ophthalmological conditions such as Dry Eye Disease (DED) through rapid diagnostic tests. The Company owns two of the only five FDA Cleared Diagnostic tests for Dye Eye Disease. For more information, please visit www.AXIMBiotech.com.
