Institut de la Vision
Institut de la Vision is a Paris-based non-profit research foundation co-located with the Quinze-Vingts National Eye Hospital, employing 298 collaborators across 18 research units and 9 technology platforms to develop gene, cell, and artificial-vision therapies for patients with inherited and age-related eye diseases.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Institut de la Vision does
Institut de la Vision is a Paris-based non-profit research foundation (Fondation Voir & Entendre) co-located with the Quinze-Vingts National Eye Hospital in the 12th arrondissement. It operates as one of Europe's largest integrated vision-research platforms, employing 298 collaborators across 18 research units and 9 technology platforms, and running 129 ongoing research projects with partners in 18 countries. The institute's work is organized around four patient-oriented axes: understanding vision, preserving sight, restoring sight, and evaluating therapeutic benefit.
Its scientific portfolio spans four modality pillars — gene therapy (including AAV vectors and CRISPR/Cas9 approaches for inherited retinal diseases), cell therapy (iPSC-derived retinal organoids and pigmented epithelium under xeno-free conditions), artificial vision (photovoltaic subretinal implants using semiconductor nanowires and nanocrystalline materials, plus optogenetics), and advanced imaging (AOSLO at cellular resolution and optoretinography). The IP estate comprises 98 active patent families, and research outputs are published in top-tier journals including Nature, Science, Cell, and Brain Communications.
The business model is non-commercial: revenue is generated through a combination of competitive project funding (French agencies such as ANR and France 2030, the European Union's Horizon Europe and ERC, plus the NIH and Wellcome), corporate mécénat (Optic 2000, Fondation Groupama, Richard Mille Fund, QRT, Crédit Agricole d'Ile-de-France), individual donations, and Carnot-labeled collaborative research services with industry. The institute operates IHU FOReSIGHT (a hospital-university translational program coordinating 13 winning projects), a wholly-owned subsidiary called Streetlab for technology valorization, and a joint clinical relationship with the Hôpital des 15-20. Leadership is anchored by Director Serge Picaud and IHU FOReSIGHT Director Christophe Baudouin.
Institut de la Vision firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Institut de la Vision
- Legal name
- Institut de la Vision - Fondation Voir & Entendre
- Website
- https://institut-vision.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Institut de la Vision is a Paris-based non-profit research foundation co-located with the Quinze-Vingts National Eye Hospital, employing 298 collaborators across 18 research units and 9 technology platforms to develop gene, cell, and artificial-vision therapies for patients with inherited and age-related eye diseases.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Institut de la Vision industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ophthalmology and Vision Science Research
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Ophthalmology Gene Therapies (HLAAACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ophthalmic Regeneration (cornea/retina) (HLAAAGAK), Rare Ophthalmology Disorder Therapies (HLAIAIAK), Ocular Imaging & Diagnostic Testing Centers (HLAKAKAN)
Keywords
Where Institut de la Vision is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Institut de la Vision business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and family donations, regular giving programs, bequests, and life insurance donations to support research activities.
- Corporate Sponsorship (Mécénat): Corporate partnerships providing financial support with tax benefits (60% tax reduction on donations up to 20,000 euros or 0.5% of turnover), including project sponsorship and equipment funding.
- Government and Institutional Grants: Funding from French agencies (ANR, Investir l'Avenir, France 2030), European Union (Horizon Europe, ERC), and international bodies (NIH, Wellcome).
- Carnot Label Research Services: Research services and technology platforms offered to external partners under the Carnot label, providing revenue through collaborative research agreements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Donation-based support (individual) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Institut de la Vision product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Institut de la Vision conducts fundamental and translational research in ophthalmology and vision science, focusing on understanding, preserving, and restoring sight. It offers nine state-of-the-art technological platforms and 129 active research projects spanning gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases, cell therapy with iPSC-derived retinal organoids, artificial vision (photovoltaic subretinal implants and optogenetics), and advanced imaging/photonics (AOSLO). Research outputs are disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, technology licensing, clinical translation with hospital partners, and educational programs.
Product overview
The Institut de la Vision is a world-leading research institute in ophthalmology and vision science, not a commercial product company. Its offerings consist of research services and scientific infrastructure rather than commercial products. The institute provides nine technological platforms for advanced research, coordinates 129 ongoing research projects (national, European, and international), and operates subsidiary initiatives including IHU FOReSIGHT (strategic research structure), Streetlab (technology transfer), and the Carnot-certified research label. Educational offerings include podcasts, Web TV, newsletters, and training programs. The institute's core activities span gene therapy, cell therapy, artificial vision systems, and advanced imaging/photonics technologies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Technological Platforms
Quantifiable outcome
- 129 ongoing research projects spanning national, European, and international levels
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Institut de la Vision
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Institut de la Vision technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature4 records
Institut de la Vision partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- InsermcoreFrench National Institute of Health and Medical Research - primary institutional partner and founding member providing fundamental research infrastructure and personnel support.
- Sorbonne UniversitécoreMajor research university - academic partner providing research faculty, graduate programs, and collaborative research in vision sciences.
- CNRScoreFrench National Centre for Scientific Research - fundamental research partner contributing scientific expertise and research infrastructure.
- 15-20 Hôpital de la Vision PariscoreNational ophthalmology hospital - primary clinical partner enabling translational research, clinical trials, and patient access for research.
- Koç University (Turkey)majorInternational research collaboration on photovoltaic subretinal implant development (MESHOPTO project) led by Sedat Nizamoglu's team.
- StreetlabcoreTechnology platform organization developing standardization tools for vision research and clinical applications.
- IconeusmajorFrench company specializing in neurofunctional ultrasound imaging technology, collaborating on advanced preclinical imaging solutions.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Institut de la Vision competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wilmer Eye Institute (Johns Hopkins): Johns Hopkins' flagship ophthalmology research and treatment center, conducting bench-to-bedside research across retinal degenerations, gene therapy, and imaging. Comparable scale of researchers, technology platforms, and clinical-translation capabilities.
- Doheny Eye Institute (UCLA): UCLA-affiliated nonprofit vision research institute with major programs in retinal imaging, AMD, and inherited retinal disease research. Operates a similar nonprofit foundation model with industry collaboration, making it a direct structural and scientific peer.
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (Moorfields): A leading UK-based ophthalmology research institute co-located with Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Mirrors Institut de la Vision's integrated research-clinical model with major programs in retinal disease gene therapy, cell therapy, and ocular imaging.
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (University of Miami): Consistently top-ranked US ophthalmology institution with strong research programs in retinal diseases, vision imaging, and emerging therapeutics. Directly comparable integrated research-clinical structure and international scientific reputation.
- Massachusetts Eye and Ear (Harvard): Harvard Medical School-affiliated specialty hospital and home to the Schepens Eye Research Institute. A premier US vision research center advancing gene therapy, regenerative medicine, and artificial vision in retinal diseases, directly comparable to Institut de la Vision's portfolio.
Regional players
- Lions Eye Institute: Perth-based not-for-profit medical research institute focused on ophthalmology, including retinal disease research and clinical trials. Operates a similar nonprofit foundation model with industry partnerships, though at smaller scale than Institut de la Vision.
- Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI): Singapore's national eye research institute with extensive programs in Asian ophthalmic disease epidemiology, gene therapy, and imaging. Comparable research-platform structure but serves Asia-Pacific populations primarily, complementing rather than overlapping Institut de la Vision's European base.
- Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA): Australia's leading eye research institute affiliated with the University of Melbourne, with active programs in gene therapy, stem cells, and artificial vision. Comparable disease focus (retinal degenerations, AMD) and integrated hospital-research model, but geographically distinct.
Emerging players
- Retina Foundation of the Southwest: US nonprofit focused specifically on inherited retinal diseases and pediatric vision disorders, with active research programs in gene therapy and diagnostics. Smaller and more disease-narrow than Institut de la Vision, but operates on a similar translational research and donor-funded model.
Broad incumbents
- National Eye Institute (NIH/NEI): The US federal government's primary vision research body, funding and conducting intramural research across ophthalmology. While much larger and government-funded, it addresses the same disease areas (AMD, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma) and competes for scientific talent and international collaborations.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Institut de la Vision social profiles
Digital presenceInstitut de la Vision compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Institut de la Vision financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Institut de la Vision leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Institut de la Vision subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Institut de la Vision funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Institut de la Vision 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 Institut de la Vision
What does Institut de la Vision do?
The Institut de la Vision conducts fundamental and translational research in ophthalmology and vision science, focusing on understanding, preserving, and restoring sight. It offers nine state-of-the-art technological platforms and 129 active research projects spanning gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases, cell therapy with iPSC-derived retinal organoids, artificial vision (photovoltaic subretinal implants and optogenetics), and advanced imaging/photonics (AOSLO). Research outputs are disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, technology licensing, clinical translation with hospital partners, and educational programs.
Is Institut de la Vision a public or private company?
Institut de la Vision is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Institut de la Vision founded?
Institut de la Vision was founded in -1. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Institut de la Vision based?
Institut de la Vision is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Institut de la Vision make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorship (Mécénat), government and Institutional Grants and carnot Label Research Services.
Who are Institut de la Vision's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wilmer Eye Institute (Johns Hopkins), Doheny Eye Institute (UCLA), UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (Moorfields), Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (University of Miami) and Massachusetts Eye and Ear (Harvard). Regional players are Lions Eye Institute, Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA). Retina Foundation of the Southwest is listed as an emerging player. National Eye Institute (NIH/NEI) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Institut de la Vision have an API?
No public API is recorded for Institut de la Vision.
What industry is Institut de la Vision in?
Institut de la Vision's product category is Ophthalmology and Vision Science Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAACAG, Ophthalmology Gene Therapies, with a secondary code of HLAAAGAK, Ophthalmic Regeneration (cornea/retina). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.