EyeCRO
EyeCRO is a preclinical ophthalmic contract research organization providing integrated in-life efficacy studies, bioanalytical services, and the proprietary MiDROPS microemulsion drug delivery technology to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and research clients developing ophthalmic therapeutics.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersOklahoma City, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What EyeCRO does
EyeCRO LLC is a preclinical ophthalmic contract research organization founded in 2012 as a spin-off from Charlesson LLC and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with a secondary research and development laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The company provides an integrated preclinical research platform for ophthalmic drug development, combining in-life efficacy studies, toxicology and pharmacokinetics, and in-house bioanalytical analysis (LC-MS/MS, HPLC, ELISA) under one roof, supported by 22+ validated disease models spanning retinal, corneal, inflammatory, and optic nerve indications across mouse, rat, and rabbit species. Both facilities hold full AAALAC International accreditation and EyeCRO has served over 400 companies and research institutions worldwide since inception.
The company's differentiator is the proprietary MiDROPS® microemulsion drug delivery technology, covered by broad US and international patents, which enables eyedrop delivery of lipophilic small molecules to both anterior and posterior segments of the eye. EyeCRO also offers EyeQ, a proprietary automated retinal ganglion cell quantification software, and provides specialized capabilities including dosing across multiple routes (intravitreal, subretinal, subconjunctival, topical), in-vivo ophthalmic imaging (ERG, OCT, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography), and histology services.
EyeCRO generates revenue through two streams: B2B contract research services delivered on a project-based, quote-based model to pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors (with named clients including SparingVision, Telios Pharma, InMed Pharmaceuticals, NeuMedics, and the National Eye Institute), and licensing of the MiDROPS platform to pharma partners for ophthalmic drug formulations, generating tiered single-digit royalties and development milestones. Distribution is direct enterprise sales, supported by presence at the ARVO Annual Meeting, scientific publications, and professional social media. The company is privately held and operates as a subsidiary of Charlesson LLC under CEO Dr. Rafal Farjo.
EyeCRO firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EyeCRO
- Legal name
- EyeCRO LLC
- Website
- https://eyecro.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- EyeCRO is a preclinical ophthalmic contract research organization providing integrated in-life efficacy studies, bioanalytical services, and the proprietary MiDROPS microemulsion drug delivery technology to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and research clients developing ophthalmic therapeutics.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
EyeCRO industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Preclinical Contract Research Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Toxicology & Safety Assessment CROs (GLP) (HLAGAAAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ocular Drug Delivery Devices (Eye Droppers/Inserts) (HLAHAIAL), Ophthalmology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAL)
Keywords
Where EyeCRO is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oklahoma City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
EyeCRO business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Contract Research Services: EyeCRO provides preclinical ophthalmic research services including in-life efficacy studies, toxicology/PK studies, and bioanalytical analysis (LC-MS/MS, HPLC, ELISA) under one roof. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts with pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
- MiDROPS Technology Licensing: EyeCRO licenses its MiDROPS microemulsion drug delivery platform to pharmaceutical partners. Receives tiered single-digit royalties on commercialized products for ophthalmologic indications as well as development and regulatory milestones. Notable licensees include NeuMedics (NM108) and InMed Pharmaceuticals (cannabinoids).
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
EyeCRO product offering
Product offeringCore offering
EyeCRO is a preclinical ophthalmic contract research organization providing a fully integrated platform combining in-life efficacy studies, bioanalytical analysis (LC-MS/MS, HPLC, ELISA), toxicology/PK studies, and eyedrop formulation development under one roof. The company operates the proprietary MiDROPS microemulsion drug delivery technology platform, licensed to pharmaceutical partners for lipophilic small molecule ocular delivery. Services are delivered from AAALAC-accredited facilities in Oklahoma City, OK and Ann Arbor, MI, supported by 22+ validated preclinical disease models.
Product overview
EyeCRO is a preclinical ophthalmic contract research organization providing a fully integrated platform for ophthalmic drug development. The core offering combines MiDROPS® (proprietary microemulsion drug delivery technology) with comprehensive research services including bioanalytical services (LC-MS/MS), dosing and drug delivery, histology and pathology, ophthalmic imaging and physiology, and proprietary software analysis (EyeQ). The company maintains a library of 22+ validated preclinical disease models spanning retinal, corneal, inflammatory, and optic nerve indications. Services are delivered from facilities in Oklahoma City (headquarters) and Ann Arbor, Michigan, with all studies supported by AAALAC International accreditation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MiDROPS®: Microemulsion Drug Ocular Penetration System - a proprietary technology for eyedrop formulations of small molecules that are lipophilic, enabling delivery to both anterior and posterior segments of the eye.
Products and services
- EyeCRO Preclinical Research Services Fully integrated preclinical ophthalmic contract research platform providing in-life efficacy studies, toxicology/PK studies, bioanalytical analysis, and eyedrop formulation development for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic sponsors developing ophthalmic therapeutics.
- MiDROPS Proprietary Microemulsion Drug Ocular Penetration System (microemulsion drug delivery technology) enabling eyedrop formulations of lipophilic small molecules for delivery to both anterior and posterior eye segments. Licensed to pharmaceutical partners with tiered single-digit royalties and development milestones.
- Bioanalytical Services Bioanalytical services utilizing LC-MS/MS, HPLC, ELISA, automated sample preparation (Waters Andrew+), multiplex immunoassay, and protein quantification from ocular tissues and fluids. Includes optimized ocular tissue extraction protocols for mouse, rat, and rabbit, with standard curves of 12-20 points per analyte (typical R² 0.997 or higher).
- Dosing & Drug Delivery Comprehensive ocular, topical, intranasal, and systemic dosing routes across mouse, rat, and rabbit including intravitreal, intracameral, subconjunctival, subretinal, suprachoroidal, and topical eye drop administration for preclinical studies.
- Histology & Pathology Full histological processing, H&E staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and digital image quantification for ocular tissue analysis including paraffin sections, plastic sections, retinal flatmounts, and vascular labeling.
- Ophthalmic Imaging & Physiology
Quantifiable outcome
- Standard curves validated with 12 to 20 points per analyte, typical R² values of 0.997 or higher
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use EyeCRO
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
EyeCRO technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
EyeCRO partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)coreNIH-Industry collaboration advancing gene-agnostic treatment for retinal disease using reserpine. EyeCRO contributed to preclinical studies demonstrating reserpine's protective effect on retinal neurons in inherited blinding diseases.
- National Eye Institute (NIH)coreCollaboration with Dr. Anand Swaroop's laboratory at the National Eye Institute on research published in eLife, studying gene-agnostic treatments for inherited retinal degenerations. Also collaborated on reserpine study for inherited blinding diseases.
- InMed PharmaceuticalscoreWorldwide license for InMed to formulate any cannabinoid molecule using MiDROPS for ophthalmic instillation. EyeCRO receives licensing fees and royalties on commercialized products.
- MPI ResearchcoreCollaboration to develop and commercialize large mammalian preclinical models for ophthalmic diseases including Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy. EyeCRO provides expertise in new model development; MPI Research contributes specialized ophthalmology capabilities and large mammalian study capacity.
- Charlesson LLCcoreCharlesson LLC is the parent company that spun off EyeCRO (Eye Contract Research Organization). Dr. Rafal Farjo is CEO of both companies. Charlesson developed the MiDROPS technology with SBIR grants from HHS.
- NeuMedicscoreCollaboration granting NeuMedics full access to the MiDROPS formulation platform for development of NM108, a first-in-class small molecule for ophthalmic disorders including Diabetic Retinopathy. EyeCRO receives tiered single-digit royalties on commercialized products and development milestones.
- Calvert LabscoreStrategic partnership to expedite preclinical drug development activities, facilitating seamless transition from discovery and non-GLP stage to performance of GLP IND-enabling studies in ocular research.
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterminorLongstanding partnership allowing EyeCRO to access academic resources while providing mutual benefits to the University. Originated from Charlesson which was founded by a University of Oklahoma faculty professor.
- SparingVisioncoreEyeCRO contributed to the pharmacology and safety evaluation of SPVN06, SparingVision's mutation-independent gene therapy for rod-cone dystrophies, supporting the ongoing Phase I/II PRODYGY trial.
- Telios PharmacoreEyeCRO's MiDROPS technology was used in Telios Pharma's TL-925 clinical trials for dry eye disease, achieving successful Phase 2 results. This marked the first clinical application of the MiDROPS technology.
- Spark TherapeuticsminorEyeCRO CEO Dr. Rafal Farjo served as co-author on a publication validating a cell-based potency assay for LUXTURNA, the first gene therapy approved in the U.S. for an inherited retinal disease.
- CatalentminorListed as a partner on EyeCRO's Partners page. Catalent is the leading global provider of advanced delivery technologies with an ophthalmic center-of-excellence for BFS manufacturing.
- Histotox LabsminorListed as a partner providing histology and IHC data services, working closely with clients and boarded pathologists for image analysis.
- Little Creek ResearchminorListed as a partner providing nonclinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and medical writing services with emphasis on ophthalmic drug products.
- PharmaLogic DevelopmentminorListed as a partner providing strategic product development planning, particularly in local therapy (ophthalmology and dermatology).
- Trial RunnersminorListed as a partner, a niche ophthalmology CRO with clinical trial capabilities. Trial Runners could serve as a referral or complementary service provider in the clinical stage.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
EyeCRO competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Iris Pharma: Iris Pharma is a preclinical and clinical ophthalmic CRO offering animal models, pharmacology, and toxicology services for ocular drug development. Comparable to EyeCRO in preclinical model breadth and specialization in ophthalmology, with a European geographic footprint.
- Ora, Inc. Ora is a leading ophthalmic-focused CRO providing preclinical and clinical research services for ocular therapeutics, including animal models, pharmacokinetics, and clinical development. It is the closest direct competitor to EyeCRO in the ophthalmic preclinical CRO segment, though with greater clinical-stage breadth.
- Experimentica (now part of PharmaLegacy): Experimentica is a preclinical ophthalmic CRO offering in vivo ocular models, pharmacology, and toxicology services across multiple species. Comparable to EyeCRO in specialized preclinical ophthalmic research with similar model breadth.
- MPI Research: MPI Research is a preclinical CRO specializing in ophthalmology among other therapeutic areas, and is an existing strategic partner of EyeCRO for large mammalian ophthalmic models. Overlapping capabilities make it both a competitor and collaborator.
- Absorption Systems: Absorption Systems is a preclinical CRO with bioanalytical and ocular drug development services including pharmacokinetics and formulation work. Comparable to EyeCRO in bioanalytical capabilities for ophthalmic programs.
- Calvert Labs: Calvert Labs is a preclinical CRO with ocular research capabilities and an existing strategic partner of EyeCRO. Provides general and ocular preclinical drug development services, including GLP IND-enabling studies, making it both a peer and a collaborator.
Broad incumbents
- Labcorp Drug Development (Covance): Labcorp (formerly Covance) provides preclinical and clinical CRO services including ophthalmic toxicology and PK capabilities. As a diversified global CRO, it competes with EyeCRO for non-specialized preclinical ophthalmic work, particularly from large pharma sponsors.
- WuXi AppTec: WuXi AppTec is a large global CRO/CDMO with preclinical research services that includes ophthalmic capabilities. As a broad incumbent, it competes for outsourced preclinical work from biotech sponsors seeking integrated discovery-to-development services.
- Pharmaron: Pharmaron is a global CRO/CDMO with preclinical ophthalmic capabilities and integrated drug discovery and development services. A broad incumbent competing for outsourced ophthalmic preclinical work from emerging biotech sponsors.
- Charles River Laboratories: Charles River is a global preclinical CRO with broad ophthalmic capabilities through its research models and discovery services segments. A broad incumbent competing with EyeCRO for ophthalmic preclinical work, though not specialized to the same degree.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
EyeCRO social profiles
Digital presenceEyeCRO compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
EyeCRO financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EyeCRO leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
EyeCRO funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
EyeCRO 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 EyeCRO
What does EyeCRO do?
EyeCRO is a preclinical ophthalmic contract research organization providing a fully integrated platform combining in-life efficacy studies, bioanalytical analysis (LC-MS/MS, HPLC, ELISA), toxicology/PK studies, and eyedrop formulation development under one roof. The company operates the proprietary MiDROPS microemulsion drug delivery technology platform, licensed to pharmaceutical partners for lipophilic small molecule ocular delivery. Services are delivered from AAALAC-accredited facilities in Oklahoma City, OK and Ann Arbor, MI, supported by 22+ validated preclinical disease models.
Is EyeCRO a public or private company?
EyeCRO is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was EyeCRO founded?
EyeCRO was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is EyeCRO based?
EyeCRO is headquartered in Oklahoma City, United States, in the North America region.
How does EyeCRO make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Contract Research Services are the primary driver. The others are miDROPS Technology Licensing.
Who are EyeCRO's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Iris Pharma, Ora, Inc., Experimentica (now part of PharmaLegacy), MPI Research, Absorption Systems and Calvert Labs. Broad incumbents are Labcorp Drug Development (Covance), WuXi AppTec, Pharmaron and Charles River Laboratories.
Does EyeCRO have an API?
No public API is recorded for EyeCRO.
What industry is EyeCRO in?
EyeCRO's product category is Preclinical Contract Research Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAAAC, Toxicology & Safety Assessment CROs (GLP), with a secondary code of HLAHAIAL, Ocular Drug Delivery Devices (Eye Droppers/Inserts). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.