LinkoCare
LinkoCare is a Swedish bioengineering company that develops and commercializes proprietary collagen-based corneal implants (LinkCor®), microlenses (CorVision®), and research substrates (LinkCell™) for corneal blindness, presbyopia, keratoconus, and cell-growth applications, supplying ophthalmic surgeons and research institutions globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersLinköping, Sweden
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What LinkoCare does
LinkoCare Life Sciences AB is a privately held Swedish bioengineering company founded around 2013–2014 as a spin-out from academic research conducted in Canada and Sweden, headquartered in Solna/Stockholm. The company develops, manufactures, and commercializes a portfolio of collagen-based corneal products for sight restoration, selling directly to ophthalmic surgeons, hospitals, and eye clinics on a one-time device-purchase model. End customers are fragmented patient populations—principally corneal blindness and keratoconus patients (LinkCor®), presbyopia patients (CorVision®), and, for the LinkCell™ substrate, research institutions and biotechnology companies in cell and stem-cell applications.
The technical platform rests on 20+ years of academic, clinical, and industrial R&D in tissue engineering and is anchored by a proprietary collagen crosslinking process covered by granted patents in Sweden, Europe, the US, China, India, and Canada. LinkCor® is a 100% natural, cell-free collagen fiber implant used in lamellar keratoplasty; CorVision® is a collagen microlens placed via a corneal pocket procedure for presbyopia correction; LinkCell™ is a transparent collagen substrate sold to research customers. Manufacturing is GMP-compliant and products are supplied sterile. Clinical evidence supporting LinkCor® includes a 20-patient trial showing 100% sight restoration, zero rejection or haze, and sub-four-week recovery, with results published in Nature Biotechnology (Impact Factor 68) in August 2022.
The business model combines direct B2B sales of medical devices (and research substrates) with non-dilutive EU grant funding (Horizon 2020 ARREST BLINDNESS consortium in 2015; EIT-Health NaturaLens in 2024); no equity funding rounds are disclosed. Distribution is direct to surgeons and clinics, and the company is working through European regulatory pathways (CorVision® trial approval in March 2020; LinkCor® Seal of Excellence in July 2024). A development-stage contact-lens program, NaturaLens®, is underway in partnership with EIT-Health for myopia, hyperopia, and presbyopia correction in dry-eye patients.
LinkoCare firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LinkoCare
- Legal name
- LinkoCare Life Sciences AB
- Website
- https://linkocare.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- LinkoCare is a Swedish bioengineering company that develops and commercializes proprietary collagen-based corneal implants (LinkCor®), microlenses (CorVision®), and research substrates (LinkCell™) for corneal blindness, presbyopia, keratoconus, and cell-growth applications, supplying ophthalmic surgeons and research institutions globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LinkoCare industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ophthalmic Medical Devices
- NAICS
- Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115)
- SIC
- Ophthalmic Goods (3851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cornea & External Disease Surgical Devices (Keratoplasty Tools, Cross-Linking Systems, Amniotic Membrane Delivery) (HLAHAJAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Ophthalmic Regeneration (cornea/retina) (HLAAAGAK)
Keywords
Where LinkoCare is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Linköping
- HQ country
- Sweden
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
LinkoCare business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Bioengineered Corneal Implants (LinkCor): Sale of bioengineered corneal implants to treat corneal blindness and keratoconus. The implant is used in corneal transplant surgeries (anterior lamellar keratoplasty / deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty) for patients with corneal blindness and advanced keratoconus.
- Corneal Microlens (CorVision): Sale of bioengineered corneal microlens for presbyopia correction. The microlens is implanted via a minimally invasive corneal pocket procedure to eliminate the need for reading spectacles or contact lenses.
- Cell/Stem Cell Substrate (LinkCell): Sale of bioengineered collagen membrane substrates for research institutions and biotech companies for cell growth, differentiation, and alternative tissue-mimetic testing in chemicals, drug, cosmetics, and consumer product safety assessments.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
LinkoCare product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LinkoCare develops and commercializes bioengineered corneal implants made from 100% natural purified collagen fibers using proprietary crosslinking technology. The portfolio includes LinkCor® (full/partial-thickness corneal implant for treating corneal blindness and advanced keratoconus), CorVision® (corneal microlens for presbyopia correction), and LinkCell™ (collagen substrate for cell and stem cell growth). All products are manufactured under GMP-compliant aseptic conditions and supplied sterile to ophthalmic surgeons, hospitals, and eye clinics worldwide.
Product overview
LinkoCare is a Swedish knowledge-intensive bioengineering company offering a portfolio of bioengineered corneal implants and related products. The core product line consists of LinkCor® (bioengineered cornea for treating advanced keratoconus and corneal blindness), CorVision® (bioengineered corneal microlens for managing presbyopia), and LinkCell™ (bioengineered substrate for cell and stem cell growth). All products are based on a proprietary platform technology using 100% natural collagen materials that mimic human corneal tissue. The company also has an R&D project called NaturaLens® focused on natural contact lenses for vision correction. LinkoCare is the only producer of clinically tested bioengineered corneal implants worldwide, with over 20+ years of academic, clinical, and industrial R&D behind its technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- LinkCor: Bioengineered Corneal Implant for treating Advanced Keratoconus - a biocompatible corneal implant made of 100% natural collagen fibers.
- CorVision
- LinkCell
Products and services
- LinkCor® Bioengineered full/partial-thickness corneal implant made from 100% natural collagen fibers that mimics human corneal tissue. Used in anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ALK) or deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) procedures to treat corneal blindness and advanced keratoconus. Sold sterile and GMP-compliant to corneal surgeons and eye clinics.
- CorVision® Bioengineered corneal microlens manufactured from collagen for managing presbyopia (age-related near vision loss). Placed via a minimally invasive corneal pocket technique to eliminate the need for reading spectacles, contact lenses, or LASIK surgery. Sold sterile, GMP-compliant to ophthalmic surgeons and eye clinics.
- LinkCell™ Bioengineered 100% natural collagen-based substrate/carrier for human/animal cells and stem cells. Highly transparent, mechanically robust, resistant to biodegradation; available in flat sheets (20–200 µm thickness, 2–200 mm diameter). Sold to research institutions and biotech companies for cell culture, differentiation, and as a tissue-mimetic alternative to animal testing in drug/chemical/cosmetic safety assessment.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% of patients regained sight upon LinkCor implantation in two-year clinical trial (20 patients)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use LinkoCare
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
LinkoCare technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
LinkoCare partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- COST Action ANIRIDIA-NETcoreLinkoCare joined the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) proposal ANIRIDIA-NET as a contributing partner. The project forms a Pan-European collaboration network for advancing research on novel diagnostics and treatments for aniridia, cornea, stem cells, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and corneal transplantation. The network includes 69 academic and industrial partners from 24 European countries.
- ARREST BLINDNESS Consortium (EU Horizon 2020)coreLinkoCare is a key partner in the EU Horizon 2020 ARREST BLINDNESS consortium (Project No. 667400). The consortium comprises 14 partners across 8 European countries including 5 innovative companies and 9 leading academic centers, developing new regenerative technologies for treating blinding conditions of the cornea. The project is funded under Grant Agreement No. 667400-2.
- NaturaLens AB (EIT-Health)coreLinkoCare participates in the NaturaLens project (Project No. 220710), funded by EIT-Health, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. NaturaLens AB is a pioneer company in bio-innovation and winner of the EIT-Health Wildcard competition. The project develops bioengineered natural-based contact lenses for sight correction (myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia) in patients suffering from dry eye.
- Linköping UniversitycoreLinkoCare originated from academic research at Linköping University in Sweden and maintains ongoing R&D collaborations. The company's CEO Mehrdad Rafat is an associate professor at Linköping University. Joint research has produced multiple peer-reviewed publications and the Nature Biotechnology landmark paper (2022).
- Ciona Cornea Consortium (Norwegian Research Council)minorLinkoCare joined an international consortium to develop artificial corneas from Ciona nanocellulose, funded by the Norwegian Research Council (BIOTEK2021, 2015-2017). The consortium comprises 10 partners from 3 countries (Norway, Sweden, China), including 5 innovative companies and 5 leading academic centers, optimizing the use of tunicate-derived nanocellulose for a cost-effective artificial cornea.
- Gemini Eye Clinics Czech RepublicminorGemini Eye Clinics in the Czech Republic is listed as an international partner in LinkoCare's development of protective contact lens technology against Covid-19. Dr. Pavel Stodulka, MD, PhD, FEBOS-CR serves as LinkoCare's Medical Director and is associated with Gemini Eye Clinics.
- LEAD Business IncubatorminorLinkoCare was selected as a LEAD Company, an ISO-9001 certified business incubator at Mjardevi Science Park. LEAD provides business coaching, funding opportunities, networking, press release support, and office space to help start-ups grow in Sweden.
- Eveol UKminorEveol UK is listed as an international partner in LinkoCare's natural contact lens development project for protection against Covid-19, alongside LinkoCare Life Sciences AB, Linköping University, Care Group India, and Gemini Eye Clinics Czech Republic.
- Care Group IndiaminorCare Group India is listed as an international partner in LinkoCare's natural contact lens technology project for protection against Covid-19, alongside LinkoCare Life Sciences AB, Linköping University, Eveol UK, and Gemini Eye Clinics Czech Republic.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LinkoCare competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- TissueTech: US regenerative medicine company commercializing placental tissue allografts (AmnioGuard, AmnioFix) for ocular surface and wound healing; shares the regenerative ophthalmology category with LinkoCare.
- BostonSight: Non-profit developer of the PROSE prosthetic device and BostonSight SCLERAL lens for corneal disease; adjacent player serving the same corneal blindness and keratoconus patient populations.
- EyeYon Medical: Israeli developer of synthetic corneal implants (e.g., EndoArt) for endothelial dysfunction and corneal edema; adjacent competitor in bioengineered/synthetic cornea space.
Broad incumbents
- Avedro (Glaukos): Now part of Glaukos, Avedro developed corneal cross-linking for keratoconus — the same underlying disease LinkCor treats — making it a relevant incumbent in the keratoconus treatment pathway.
- Carl Zeiss Meditec: Major ophthalmic medical device incumbent offering surgical ophthalmology, refractive, and corneal imaging solutions; broad incumbent in LinkoCare's target surgical markets.
Direct peers
- AcuFocus: Developer of the Kamra corneal inlay for presbyopia; directly competes with CorVision in the refractive presbyopia correction market.
- CorNeat Vision: Israeli developer of the CorNeat KPro synthetic corneal implant for blind patients; competes head-to-head with LinkCor in the bioengineered/synthetic corneal replacement category.
- KeraMed: Distributor and developer of corneal transplant devices including KeraKlear artificial cornea; directly competes with LinkCor in keratoconus and corneal blindness treatment.
- Aurolab (AuroKPro): Indian low-cost manufacturer of the AuroKeratoprosthesis synthetic cornea targeting the same corneal blindness patient population, particularly in developing countries.
- Refocus Group (Presbia): Developed the Presbia Flexivue Microlens, a corneal inlay for presbyopia; competes with CorVision in refractive presbyopia treatment.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LinkoCare social profiles
Digital presenceLinkoCare financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LinkoCare leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
LinkoCare funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LinkoCare 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 LinkoCare
What does LinkoCare do?
LinkoCare develops and commercializes bioengineered corneal implants made from 100% natural purified collagen fibers using proprietary crosslinking technology. The portfolio includes LinkCor® (full/partial-thickness corneal implant for treating corneal blindness and advanced keratoconus), CorVision® (corneal microlens for presbyopia correction), and LinkCell™ (collagen substrate for cell and stem cell growth). All products are manufactured under GMP-compliant aseptic conditions and supplied sterile to ophthalmic surgeons, hospitals, and eye clinics worldwide.
Is LinkoCare a public or private company?
LinkoCare is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was LinkoCare founded?
LinkoCare was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is LinkoCare based?
LinkoCare is headquartered in Linköping, Sweden, in the Europe region.
How does LinkoCare make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Bioengineered Corneal Implants (LinkCor) is the primary driver. The others are corneal Microlens (CorVision) and cell/Stem Cell Substrate (LinkCell).
Who are LinkoCare's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are TissueTech, BostonSight and EyeYon Medical. Broad incumbents are Avedro (Glaukos) and Carl Zeiss Meditec. Direct peers are AcuFocus, CorNeat Vision, KeraMed, Aurolab (AuroKPro) and Refocus Group (Presbia).
Does LinkoCare have an API?
No public API is recorded for LinkoCare.
What industry is LinkoCare in?
LinkoCare's product category is Ophthalmic Medical Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAJAK, Cornea & External Disease Surgical Devices (Keratoplasty Tools, Cross-Linking Systems, Amniotic Membrane Delivery), with a secondary code of HLAAAGAK, Ophthalmic Regeneration (cornea/retina). Its NAICS code is 339115 and its SIC code is 3851.