Aurion Biotechnologies
Aurion Biotech is a clinical-stage regenerative cell therapy company developing allogeneic corneal endothelial cell therapies (neltependocel with rho-kinase inhibitor) for corneal endothelial disease, with Vyznova commercial in Japan and AURN001 in U.S. Phase 3 development.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Aurion Biotechnologies does
Aurion Biotech is a clinical-stage regenerative cell therapy company developing first-in-class allogeneic therapies for corneal endothelial disease. The company's Corneal Endothelial Cell Therapy (CECT) platform uses natural, unmodified human corneal endothelial cells (neltependocel) delivered with a rho-kinase inhibitor (Y-27632) via intracameral injection. A single donor cornea can yield up to 1,000 therapeutic doses, addressing the documented 1:70 global imbalance between donor corneas and diseased eyes. The portfolio comprises Vyznova (commercial in Japan since 2024 for bullous keratopathy), AURN001 (U.S. Phase 3 with FDA Breakthrough Therapy and RMAT designations), and a cryopreserved formulation in earlier development.
The company generates revenue through commercial sales of Vyznova in Japan following PMDA approval in 2024, with pricing not publicly disclosed and operated on a quote/reimbursement-driven model. U.S. revenue is pre-commercial, pending BLA submission supported by the ASTRA Phase 3 trial initiated at 12 U.S. sites in April 2026. Go-to-market relies on enterprise field sales targeting ophthalmologists and corneal surgeons, with Alcon's majority ownership (2025) providing potential distribution leverage. Aurion's leadership combines deep cell therapy expertise (CEO/CSO Arnaud Lacoste, ex-Novartis cell/gene therapy) with established ophthalmology credentials (CMO Edward Holland, Cincinnati Eye Institute).
Aurion was founded to commercialize foundational research from Professor Shigeru Kinoshita at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, and is now majority-owned by Alcon following the 2025 acquisition. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, with operations in Seattle and Tokyo, and was backed by $120 million in Series A funding led by Deerfield Management in April 2022.
Aurion Biotechnologies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aurion Biotechnologies
- Legal name
- Aurion Biotech, Inc.
- Website
- https://aurionbiotech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Aurion Biotech is a clinical-stage regenerative cell therapy company developing allogeneic corneal endothelial cell therapies (neltependocel with rho-kinase inhibitor) for corneal endothelial disease, with Vyznova commercial in Japan and AURN001 in U.S. Phase 3 development.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aurion Biotechnologies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regenerative Cell Therapy
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cell Therapy Developers (Allogeneic/Off-the-shelf) (HLAAABAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cell Processing & Ancillary Materials (media, cytokines, beads, vectors, disposables) (HLAAABAH), Cell Therapy Enabling Technologies (gene editing, cell engineering, delivery methods) (HLAAABAL)
Keywords
Where Aurion Biotechnologies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Aurion Biotechnologies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Vyznova Commercial Sales (Japan): Aurion Biotech generates revenue from commercial sales of Vyznova in Japan, where it received regulatory and reimbursement approval in 2024. Vyznova is the first cell therapy for corneal endothelial disease commercially available in Japan, indicated for bullous keratopathy.
- AURN001 (Future U.S. Commercialization): AURN001 is in Phase 3 development in the U.S. with Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation. Upon FDA approval, the company anticipates commercializing AURN001 as the first cell therapy for corneal endothelial disease in the U.S. market.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Aurion Biotechnologies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aurion Biotech develops and manufactures allogeneic cell therapies for corneal endothelial disease, including commercially available Vyznova in Japan and investigational AURN001 in U.S. Phase 3 development. The therapy uses cultured human corneal endothelial cells (neltependocel) combined with a rho-kinase inhibitor (Y-27632), delivered as an intracameral injection to regenerate the corneal endothelium and restore vision. The platform's manufacturing scale enables up to 1,000 therapeutic doses from a single donor cornea.
Product overview
Aurion Biotech is a regenerative cell therapy company developing first-in-class therapies for corneal endothelial disease. The portfolio consists of Vyznova (commercially available in Japan since 2024) as the first-generation product, AURN001 as the lead investigational candidate in U.S. Phase 3 development with BTD/RMAT designation, and a cryopreserved formulation of AURN001 in earlier development to improve distribution accessibility. All products utilize cultured human corneal endothelial cells combined with rho-kinase inhibitor to regenerate corneal clarity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Vyznova: First-generation corneal endothelial cell therapy approved by Japan's PMDA for patients with bullous keratopathy. Commercially available in Japan since 2024.
- AURN001
Products and services
- Vyznova First-generation corneal endothelial cell therapy approved by Japan's PMDA for patients with bullous keratopathy. Built on a decade of pioneering clinical research in endothelial cell injection, Vyznova is commercially available in Japan since 2024 and is administered to Japanese ophthalmologists and corneal surgeons for the treatment of bullous keratopathy.
- AURN001 First-in-class combination therapy consisting of natural, unmodified donor endothelial cells (neltependocel) delivered with a rho-kinase inhibitor (Y-27632). Designed to regenerate corneal clarity by repopulating the posterior cornea with functional donor cells. Currently in Phase 3 development in the U.S. with FDA Breakthrough Therapy and RMAT designations granted.
- Cryopreserved AURN001 Formulation Pipeline program evaluating a cryopreserved formulation of Aurion's endothelial cell therapy in clinical study. Being developed to support broader distribution and treatment accessibility beyond the current fresh-cell formulation.
Quantifiable outcome
- 65% of high-dose AURN001 patients achieved ≥15-letter BCVA improvement vs 0% in control group (p<0.0001)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Aurion Biotechnologies
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aurion Biotechnologies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Aurion Biotechnologies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA)minorAurion Biotech is an affiliate member of the EBAA. The company presented at EBAA's 2026 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, participating in a panel on Innovative Solutions. The relationship focuses on education and awareness about regenerative cell therapy as an alternative to traditional transplantation.
- Kyoto Prefectural University of MedicinecoreProfessor Shigeru Kinoshita's foundational technology from Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine underlies Aurion's cell therapy development. His pioneering research in corneal endothelial cell transplantation provided the scientific foundation for the company's therapeutic approach.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Aurion Biotechnologies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- jCyte: Clinical-stage cell therapy company developing allogeneic cell therapies for ophthalmic indications. Directly comparable as a peer cell therapy developer in ophthalmology, though focused on retinal indications rather than cornea.
- Lineage Cell Therapeutics: Clinical-stage cell therapy company developing allogeneic cell therapies for ophthalmology and other indications. Closely comparable as an allogeneic cell therapy developer targeting vision loss with similar manufacturing and regulatory profiles.
- CorneaGen: Corneal tissue provider and ophthalmology services company serving corneal surgeons with donor tissue and surgical solutions. Direct peer addressing the same corneal surgeon customer base, though operating in the donor tissue supply chain rather than cell therapy.
Broad incumbents
- Astellas Pharma: Global pharmaceutical company with significant regenerative medicine and cell therapy interests, including historical work on ophthalmology cell therapy via the Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Comparable as a large incumbent with overlapping cell therapy R&D capabilities.
- Ocular Therapeutix: Commercial-stage ophthalmology biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for retinal diseases and other eye conditions. Comparable as an ophthalmology-focused biotech with drug delivery and specialty therapeutic capabilities targeting eye care specialists.
- EyePoint Pharmaceuticals: Specialty ophthalmology company developing sustained-release drug delivery technologies for eye diseases. Comparable as an ophthalmology-focused company addressing unmet needs in vision-threatening conditions with novel delivery approaches.
- Bausch + Lomb: Global ophthalmology company with a broad portfolio of surgical, pharmaceutical, and consumer eye care products. Comparable as a broad incumbent with established ophthalmology commercial infrastructure and surgical vision care offerings.
- Glaukos Corporation: Medical technology company focused on novel interventional treatments for glaucoma and corneal disorders. Comparable as an ophthalmology-focused company addressing surgical and disease-modifying therapies in eye care.
Emerging players
- Krystal Biotech: Commercial-stage biotech pioneering a topical gene therapy platform. Comparable as an emerging biotech applying novel biological platforms to rare diseases with a focus on genetic and regenerative approaches, though in dermatology rather than ophthalmology.
- RxSight: Commercial-stage ophthalmology company developing adjustable intraocular lens technology for cataract surgery. Comparable as an emerging ophthalmology-focused company with commercial-stage surgical products addressing vision correction.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aurion Biotechnologies social profiles
Digital presenceAurion Biotechnologies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aurion Biotechnologies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Aurion Biotechnologies subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Aurion Biotechnologies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aurion Biotechnologies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aurion Biotechnologies
What does Aurion Biotechnologies do?
Aurion Biotech develops and manufactures allogeneic cell therapies for corneal endothelial disease, including commercially available Vyznova in Japan and investigational AURN001 in U.S. Phase 3 development. The therapy uses cultured human corneal endothelial cells (neltependocel) combined with a rho-kinase inhibitor (Y-27632), delivered as an intracameral injection to regenerate the corneal endothelium and restore vision. The platform's manufacturing scale enables up to 1,000 therapeutic doses from a single donor cornea.
Is Aurion Biotechnologies a public or private company?
Aurion Biotechnologies is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Aurion Biotechnologies founded?
Aurion Biotechnologies was founded in 2014. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Aurion Biotechnologies based?
Aurion Biotechnologies is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aurion Biotechnologies make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Vyznova Commercial Sales (Japan) is the primary driver. The others are AURN001 (Future U.S. Commercialization).
Who are Aurion Biotechnologies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are jCyte, Lineage Cell Therapeutics and CorneaGen. Broad incumbents are Astellas Pharma, Ocular Therapeutix, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Bausch + Lomb and Glaukos Corporation. Emerging players are Krystal Biotech and RxSight.
Does Aurion Biotechnologies have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aurion Biotechnologies.
What industry is Aurion Biotechnologies in?
Aurion Biotechnologies's product category is Regenerative Cell Therapy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAABAB, Cell Therapy Developers (Allogeneic/Off-the-shelf), with a secondary code of HLAAABAH, Cell Processing & Ancillary Materials (media, cytokines, beads, vectors, disposables). Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.