Zilia

What Zilia does

Zilia is a Quebec City-based medical device company founded in 2012 that develops the Zilia Ocular, a retinal camera designed to non-invasively measure oxygen saturation (StO2) and other biomarkers in the human eye. The platform combines patented optical technology, targeted spectroscopy, and a proprietary convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithm with computer vision-based segmentation of retinal structures to deliver continuous, quantitative metabolic measurements that go beyond what structural imaging tools (OCT, fundus photography) provide. Zilia Ocular is the first device in the world authorized by Health Canada to measure oxygen saturation in the eye (Class II licence, June 2025), and the Zilia Ocular FC variant holds FDA 510(k) clearance (November 2023); the company also maintains ISO 13485:2016 certification.

The company serves three primary customer segments: eye care professionals (optometrists and ophthalmologists) who use the device for early detection and monitoring of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, ischemic optic neuropathy, and retinal vasculitis; clinical and academic researchers at institutions such as UCLA Stein Eye, Stanford Byers Eye Institute, St. Michael's Hospital Toronto, Bellevue Ophthalmology, and Toronto Retina Institute; and emerging cardiology and neurology specialists pursuing ocular biomarkers for systemic conditions including cardiac amyloidosis and neurodegenerative diseases. Zilia's revenue model combines hardware sales of the Class II retinal camera with recurring software and data platform capabilities for image acquisition, analysis, comparison, and report generation, distributed via a direct enterprise sales motion (demo-driven, quote-based) in Canada with planned expansion into the United States and Europe. The company is backed by Anges Québec (lead seed investor, $4M in 2021) and Linearis Ventures (bridge round, 2025), and remains founder-controlled with co-founders Dr. Patrick Sauvageau (CEO) and Dominic Sauvageau, PhD (CTO) in leadership.

Name

Zilia

Legal name

Zilia Inc.

Website

https://ziliahealth.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zilia is a Quebec City-based medical device company developing the Zilia Ocular, an AI-powered retinal camera that non-invasively measures oxygen saturation in the eye to enable early detection and monitoring of ocular, neurological, and cardiovascular diseases for clinicians and researchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmic Medical Devices

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345), Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Retinal Imaging & OCT Systems (OCT/OCTA, Fundus Cameras, Fluorescein/ICG Angiography) (HLAHAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Visual Field & Functional Vision Testing (Perimetry, ERG/VEP, Contrast Sensitivity) (HLAHAJAC), Glaucoma Diagnostics & Surgical Devices (Tonometry, Gonioscopy, MIGS, Drainage Implants, Laser Trabeculoplasty) (HLAHAJAI), Ocular Imaging & Diagnostic Testing Centers (HLAKAKAN)

Keywords

• Ocular oximetry devices
• Retinal imaging technology
• Ophthalmic diagnostic devices
• Non-invasive biomarkers
• Medical device hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Quebec

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Zilia Ocular Device Sales: Zilia derives revenue from the sale of its Zilia Ocular medical device, a retinal camera. As a Class II medical device with regulatory approvals (Health Canada Class II, FDA 510(k) Cleared), the company commercializes the hardware platform to eye care professionals, hospitals, and research institutions.
2. Software and Data Platform: The platform includes proprietary software for image acquisition, analysis, data comparison, and report generation and export. Ongoing software capabilities and data management services support recurring engagement with clinical and research customers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Zilia develops and commercializes the Zilia Ocular, a retinal camera medical device that uses patented optical technology, targeted spectroscopy, and convolutional neural network-based artificial intelligence to non-invasively measure oxygen saturation (StO2) and other biomarkers in the human eye. The device is sold to eye care professionals, hospitals, and academic medical centers for the early detection and monitoring of ocular diseases (glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration) and is being extended into systemic disease applications in neurology and cardiology.

Product overview

Zilia offers a single primary product platform: the Zilia Ocular family of retinal cameras. The flagship Zilia Ocular is a non-invasive ocular oximetry device that combines advanced retinal imaging with spectroscopy and AI to measure oxygen saturation in eye tissues. The Zilia Ocular FC variant is the FDA-cleared version for the US market. The platform is designed for early detection and monitoring of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration, with emerging applications in cardiology and neurology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zilia Ocular A Class II medical device retinal camera equipped with patented optical technology that combines imaging, spectrometry, and convolutional neural network-based artificial intelligence to non-invasively measure oxygen saturation (StO2) in the human eye. It provides eye care professionals with functional biomarkers for the early detection and monitoring of ocular diseases including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration.
• Zilia Ocular FC FDA-cleared version of the Zilia Ocular retinal camera designed for the U.S. market, enabling non-invasive measurement of oxygenation in the eye for clinical and research applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• First device in the world authorized to measure oxygen saturation in the eye (Health Canada, June 2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• MicrosoftminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2020Selected for Microsoft for Startups program, providing access to Azure cloud services, sales and marketing support, and technical resources to accelerate growth and commercialization.
• University of MontrealminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner institution on Zilia's website. Collaboration in research and development for ocular health technology.
• MILA — Quebec Artificial Intelligence InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner institution, supporting AI development for Zilia's technology platform.
• Université de MontréalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner institution. Dr. Patrick Sauvageau obtained his doctorate in optometry and master's in vision sciences from Université de Montréal's School of Optometry.
• University of HoustonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner institution. Presented the first summary on ocular oximetry in type 2 diabetes.
• HEMAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner institution on Zilia's website.
• Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (IUCPQ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner institution. Collaboration on cardiac amyloidosis detection research using ocular spectroscopy.
• UI Health CareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner institution on Zilia's website.
• Dr. Ike Ahmed (Scientific Advisory Board)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Zilia's Scientific Advisory Board. Professor at University of Toronto and Director of Research at Kensington Eye Institute. Expert in glaucoma treatments and MIGS surgery.
• Dr. Rajat N Agrawal (Scientific Advisory Board)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Zilia's Scientific Advisory Board. President and CEO of Retina Global. Expert in retinal diseases and regulatory affairs.
• Dr. John G. Flanagan (Scientific Advisory Board)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of Zilia's Scientific Advisory Board. Dean and Professor at UC Berkeley School of Optometry. Internationally recognized researcher in ocular imaging, blood flow, and vascular reactivity.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Oxymap: Oxymap is the most direct competitor to Zilia in retinal oximetry, producing the Oxymap T1 device that measures oxygen saturation in retinal vessels. Both companies target the same fundamental clinical use case—non-invasive assessment of retinal oxygenation—making Oxymap the closest peer for product, technology, and customer base comparison.

Broad incumbents

• Heidelberg Engineering: Heidelberg Engineering is a leading manufacturer of ophthalmic diagnostic imaging systems including SPECTRALIS OCT and confocal fundus imaging platforms widely used in ophthalmology clinics and academic centers. Zilia competes for the same diagnostic imaging budget and clinical workflow, though Heidelberg does not currently offer a dedicated oximetry device.
• Carl Zeiss Meditec: Carl Zeiss Meditec is one of the largest ophthalmic device manufacturers globally, with dominant positions in OCT (Cirrus), fundus imaging, and surgical microscopy. It serves the same eye care professionals and academic medical centers as Zilia and could enter the ocular oximetry category as an add-on to its existing imaging platforms.
• Optos (Nikon): Optos, owned by Nikon, produces ultra-widefield retinal imaging devices (Daytona, California) used by optometrists and ophthalmologists. It competes for the same clinical imaging slot in eye care practices and shares Zilia's target customer segment of eye care professionals.
• Topcon Healthcare: Topcon manufactures a broad portfolio of ophthalmic and optometric diagnostic devices including OCT, fundus cameras, and AI-powered screening tools (e.g., Maestro2, TRC-NW8). It is a competitor in the ophthalmic imaging space and a potential acquirer or competitor if it adds oximetry capability.
• Nidek: Nidek produces a wide range of ophthalmic diagnostic and laser treatment devices, including fundus cameras (AFC-330, Mirante) used in eye care clinics. It competes for the same ophthalmic diagnostic equipment budgets as Zilia and shares the same customer base of optometrists and ophthalmologists.
• Reichert Technologies (AMETEK): Reichert manufactures ophthalmic diagnostic instruments including tonometers, refractors, and retinal imaging devices serving optometry and ophthalmology markets. It targets the same eye care professionals and competes for diagnostic equipment budgets.

Emerging players

• CenterVue (iCare): CenterVue, now part of Revenio Group's iCare brand, produces fundus imaging and visual field testing devices (e.g., Eidon, Compass) for retinal imaging. It overlaps with Zilia in retinal imaging technology and target customers, though without an oximetry focus.

Regional players

• Phoenix Technology Group: Phoenix Technology Group produces specialized retinal imaging systems (Neo, MiiS) used primarily in pediatric ophthalmology and research settings. It serves a subset of the same research-oriented ophthalmology market that Zilia targets through its academic medical center partnerships.

Others

• Cirrus HD-OCT (clinical ophthalmic imaging peers via Heidelberg): Cirrus HD-OCT (by Zeiss) and SPECTRALIS (by Heidelberg) are category-defining OCT platforms that set the standard for structural retinal imaging in clinical practice. They are not direct oximetry competitors but represent the structural imaging incumbent paradigm that Zilia's functional oximetry approach must complement or displace.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgv4SUH9Zx0S624LOX3R92g
• Facebookfacebook.com/ziliahealth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ziliahealth

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zilia