Amydis
Amydis is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing proprietary fluorescent ocular tracers that detect molecular biomarkers (TDP-43, amyloid-beta, alpha-synuclein, tau, TTR) during routine eye exams for neurodegenerative, ophthalmic, and cardiac diseases, serving eye-care providers and pharmaceutical partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Amydis does
Amydis is a clinical-stage, privately held pharmaceutical company developing a proprietary platform of fluorescent small-molecule ocular tracers that enable non-invasive detection of molecular biomarkers — including TDP-43, amyloid-beta, alpha-synuclein, tau, and transthyretin — through standard ophthalmic imaging cameras used in routine eye exams. Its lead candidates include AMDX-2011P (amyloid-beta, in Phase 1/2a trials for Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, Alzheimer's, and glaucoma), AMDX-9101 (transthyretin amyloid, with published proof-of-concept for ATTR amyloidosis), an alpha-synuclein retinal tracer in the PROBE trial for Parkinson's Disease, a tau tracer in collaboration with UCSD, and a TDP-43 tracer that received a $2.5M Phase 2 NIH grant in 2026 for ALS, FTD, and LATE. The intended end-users are ophthalmologists and optometrists who would administer tracer imaging during routine office visits, with a secondary value proposition to pharmaceutical partners for clinical-trial enrollment, patient stratification, and treatment monitoring; the company also operates a planned multi-omics data warehouse combining retinal biomarker data with blood markers and genomics for AI-enabled precision medicine.
The business model is currently non-commercial: Amydis is pre-revenue, funded primarily through NIH SBIR/CRP grants and Michael J. Fox Foundation grants (cumulative grant funding exceeding $15M since 2015), supplemented by approximately $14.7M in 2022 SEC exempt securities offerings. Distribution is planned through the existing eye-care-provider channel — leveraging already-deployed ophthalmic imaging cameras — with potential co-development and licensing arrangements with pharmaceutical companies for biomarker-driven clinical-trial applications. The company is incorporated in Delaware as Amydis, Inc. (formerly Amydis Diagnostics, Inc.), operates from corporate offices in Los Angeles and laboratory facilities in La Jolla, California, and is led by founder and CEO Stella Sarraf, PhD, with a scientific advisory board chaired by Dr. Robert N. Weinreb of UCSD and a board drawing on ex-Merck, Foresite Capital, and Cedars-Sinai leadership.
Amydis firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Amydis
- Legal name
- Amydis, Inc.
- Website
- https://amydis.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Amydis is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing proprietary fluorescent ocular tracers that detect molecular biomarkers (TDP-43, amyloid-beta, alpha-synuclein, tau, TTR) during routine eye exams for neurodegenerative, ophthalmic, and cardiac diseases, serving eye-care providers and pharmaceutical partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Amydis industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ocular Diagnostics
- NAICS
- Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115), Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)
- SIC
- In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Retinal Imaging & OCT Systems (OCT/OCTA, Fundus Cameras, Fluorescein/ICG Angiography) (HLAHAJAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Ocular Imaging & Diagnostic Testing Centers (HLAKAKAN)
Keywords
Where Amydis is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Amydis business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Amydis product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Amydis develops a proprietary platform of small-molecule fluorescent ocular tracers designed to non-invasively detect disease-related molecular biomarkers (TDP-43, amyloid beta, alpha-synuclein, tau, transthyretin) in the retina during routine eye exams using standard ophthalmic imaging equipment. The tracers support diagnosis and monitoring of neurodegenerative, ophthalmic, and cardiological diseases, and are paired with an AI-enabled analysis platform and multi-omics data warehouse to enable precision medicine applications.
Product overview
Amydis is a clinical-stage company developing a platform of proprietary ocular tracers that enable non-invasive detection of molecular biomarkers for diseases of the eye, heart, and brain. The core technology consists of small-molecule fluorescent imaging agents (tracers) including AMDX-2011P (amyloid-beta), AMDX-9101 (TTR amyloid), and TDP-43 and alpha-synuclein targeting tracers. These tracers work with commercially available ophthalmic imaging devices during routine eye exams. The company is building a multi-omics data warehouse combining retinal biomarker data with blood biomarkers and genomics for AI-enabled precision medicine. Multiple tracers are in human clinical trials including the PROBE trial for ALS/Parkinson's, a glaucoma Phase 2 program, and Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy studies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- TDP-43 Ocular Tracer A non-invasive fluorescent ocular tracer designed to detect TDP-43 protein deposits in the retina, enabling early diagnosis of ALS, FTD, and LATE through routine eye exams. Currently in Phase 2 NIH-funded development.
- AMDX-2011P A proprietary small molecule ocular imaging agent targeting amyloid-beta deposits in the retina. Used in clinical trials for glaucoma, Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy, and Alzheimer's disease, designed for use with conventional ocular imaging cameras.
- AMDX-9101 A small-molecule fluorescent ocular tracer designed to detect transthyretin (TTR) amyloid deposits in the conjunctiva and other ocular tissues for diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis. Demonstrated capability to label TTR amyloid in human eyes and visualize using commercially available ophthalmic imaging equipment.
- Alpha-Synuclein Retinal Tracer A fluorescent, non-radioactive retinal imaging agent targeting alpha-synuclein deposits in the retina for diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease and other synucleinopathies. Part of the PROBE clinical trial (NCT05542576).
- Tau Retinal Tracer A novel small-molecule retinal tracer targeting tau protein for detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies.
Quantifiable outcome
- Potential to reduce ALS diagnosis time from 9-12 months to routine eye exam
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Amydis
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Amydis technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature1 record
Amydis partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Target ALScoreCollaboration with Target ALS enabled foundational research exploring whether TDP-43 manifests in the retina as an accessible part of the CNS; Target ALS is a non-profit medical organization committed to the search for new ALS treatments
- Georgetown UniversitycoreAcademic collaboration for ALS, FTD, and LATE research involving retinal tissue analysis and TDP-43 biomarker mapping
- Washington University in St. LouiscoreAcademic collaboration for ALS, FTD, and LATE research involving retinal tissue analysis and TDP-43 biomarker mapping
- Mass General BrighamcoreClinical collaboration with Mass General Brigham Neuroscience Institute and Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS; Dr. Merit Cudkowicz, executive director, provided commentary supporting the technology
- Cedars-SinaicoreCollaboration with Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute; Dr. Clive Svendsen serves as consultant on NIH grants; clinical site for trials
- Banner HealthminorCollaboration partner for ALS, FTD, and LATE research involving retinal tissue analysis
- University of California San Diego (UCSD)coreCollaboration with UCSD for glaucoma clinical program and proof-of-concept studies demonstrating tracers detect amyloid beta in post-mortem human eyes of glaucoma patients; Dr. Robert Weinreb serves as Chair of Amydis Scientific Advisory Board and is Director of Shiley Eye Institute at UCSD
- Wills Eye HospitalcoreCollaboration with Wills Eye faculty including Dr. Jose S. Pulido and Dr. Tatyana Milman for research on transthyretin amyloidosis detection in the eye; Wills Eye supplied human eye tissue for proof-of-concept studies
- Dr. Robert Rissman (UCSD)coreCollaboration on tau retinal tracer program; Dr. Rissman is professor of neurosciences at UCSD and Director of Biomarker Core for Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study
- Dr. Jeffrey Kordower (Arizona State University-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center)coreCollaboration on alpha synuclein retinal tracer research in non-human primate models; Dr. Kordower is founding director of the center
- Carnegie Mellon University (Dr. Yongxin Zhao)minorCollaboration on imaging tool called Magnify for examining corneal infections and tissue samples; part of Wills Eye Translational Ophthalmology Department research
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Amydis competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- RetiSpec: RetiSpec is developing retinal imaging-based diagnostic tools for Alzheimer's disease detection, using hyperspectral imaging to detect amyloid biomarkers in the eye. Like Amydis, it pursues non-invasive ocular biomarker detection for neurodegenerative disease, though using a non-tracer imaging approach.
- Cognoptix: Cognoptix (formerly Sapphire Therapeutics) developed an eye-based diagnostic test for Alzheimer's disease using fluorescent ligand technology applied to the lens of the eye. Direct comparison to Amydis's fluorescent ocular tracer approach for amyloid detection in CNS disease.
- NeuroVision Imaging: NeuroVision Imaging developed retinal amyloid imaging for Alzheimer's disease detection, pioneering the concept of using ocular biomarkers for neurodegenerative disease diagnosis. Closely aligned with Amydis's retinal biomarker imaging platform for amyloid-beta detection.
- Optina Diagnostics: Optina Diagnostics is developing a retinal biomarker test for Alzheimer's disease using hyperspectral imaging of the retina. Direct competitor in the eye-based Alzheimer's diagnostic space, pursuing non-invasive early detection.
Broad incumbents
- Cerveau Technologies: Cerveau Technologies is a leading provider of tau PET imaging ligands (MK-6240) used in Alzheimer's disease research and clinical trials. While focused on PET imaging rather than ocular detection, it competes in the same biomarker diagnostics space targeting CNS disease.
- Life Molecular Imaging: Life Molecular Imaging (formerly Piramal Imaging) manufactures Neuraceq (florbetaben), an FDA-approved PET imaging agent for amyloid detection in Alzheimer's. Established CNS diagnostic player competing for neurodegenerative disease diagnostic market share.
- Avid Radiopharmaceuticals (Lilly): Avid Radiopharmaceuticals (acquired by Eli Lilly) developed Amyvid (florbetapir), the first FDA-approved PET amyloid imaging agent. Major incumbent in CNS diagnostic imaging that Amydis could disrupt with non-invasive ocular alternatives.
Emerging players
- Quanterix: Quanterix develops ultra-sensitive biomarker detection platforms (Simoa) for neurodegenerative disease research and diagnostics, including blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's. Indirect competitor in CNS biomarker detection space, with overlapping precision medicine applications.
- C2N Diagnostics: C2N Diagnostics developed PrecivityAD, a blood-based biomarker test for Alzheimer's disease amyloid detection. Competes with Amydis in the neurodegenerative diagnostic market with a different (blood-based) detection modality, but targeting the same clinical use case.
- Altoida: Altoida uses digital cognitive biomarkers and AR-based assessments for early Alzheimer's detection on smartphones and tablets. Competes in the neurodegenerative disease early detection space with a non-invasive, scalable approach targeting similar patient populations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Amydis social profiles
Digital presenceAmydis financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Amydis leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Amydis funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds11 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Amydis 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 Amydis
What does Amydis do?
Amydis develops a proprietary platform of small-molecule fluorescent ocular tracers designed to non-invasively detect disease-related molecular biomarkers (TDP-43, amyloid beta, alpha-synuclein, tau, transthyretin) in the retina during routine eye exams using standard ophthalmic imaging equipment. The tracers support diagnosis and monitoring of neurodegenerative, ophthalmic, and cardiological diseases, and are paired with an AI-enabled analysis platform and multi-omics data warehouse to enable precision medicine applications.
Is Amydis a public or private company?
Amydis is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Amydis founded?
Amydis was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Amydis based?
Amydis is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Amydis's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are RetiSpec, Cognoptix, NeuroVision Imaging and Optina Diagnostics. Broad incumbents are Cerveau Technologies, Life Molecular Imaging and Avid Radiopharmaceuticals (Lilly). Emerging players are Quanterix, C2N Diagnostics and Altoida.
Does Amydis have an API?
No public API is recorded for Amydis.
What industry is Amydis in?
Amydis's product category is Ocular Diagnostics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAJAB, Retinal Imaging & OCT Systems (OCT/OCTA, Fundus Cameras, Fluorescein/ICG Angiography), with a secondary code of HLAKAKAN, Ocular Imaging & Diagnostic Testing Centers. Its NAICS code is 339115 and its SIC code is 2835.