Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus

What Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus does

Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus (Veneto Eye Bank Foundation), established in 1987 in Zelarino (Venice), Italy, is a non-profit foundation operating Italy's first eye bank and one of Europe's leading ocular tissue banks. It procures, screens, processes, preserves, stores and distributes human corneal tissue for transplantation to public hospitals, the national Italian transplant network, and 20 international transplant centres; in its most recently reported year it distributed over 500 ocular tissues abroad (437 to Europe, 17 to Asia, 63 to Africa, plus humanitarian missions) and supported sight restoration for approximately 3,000 people annually. The foundation combines three operational pillars: (i) Eye Banking of corneas and advanced lamellar grafts (pre-cut lenticules, preloaded DMEK grafts, sclera, amniotic membrane); (ii) a GMP-certified Cell Factory that has treated 200+ patients with cultured limbal stem cell transplantation for limbal stem cell deficiency at 60-80% success since 2003, making it the first facility globally able to distribute in-vitro-reconstructed corneal stem cell grafts; and (iii) the International Centre for Ocular Physiopathology (ICOP), inaugurated in October 2013, which provides clinical studies, a retina/choroid biorepository, eye-drop and medical-device testing, preservation-media R&D and ocular toxicology services. Technology and IP extend into gene therapy research (siRNA allele-specific silencing for EEC syndrome, connexin-43 targeting for scar reduction, gene-corrected oral mucosa stem cells), a proprietary corneal preservation media programme, and registries such as the European Cornea and Cell Transplantation Registry (ECCTR) and EuroGTP II.

Revenue and funding come from reimbursements by Italian and other European Health Authorities for tissues distributed, charitable donations from organisations and private citizens, and a diversified research-grant base spanning the Italian Ministry of Health, Veneto Region, the EU 3rd Health Programme, FP7 Marie Curie COFUND, COST Action BM1302, CariVerona Foundation, AFM-Telethon, and the Bayer Global Ophthalmology Awards Program. The foundation is certified by the Italian National Transplants Centre and by Certiquality (ISO 9001:2008), adheres to the Barcelona Principles ethical agreement, and sits within the ERN-EYE European Reference Network (29 providers across 13 EU countries) and the European Eye Bank Association. As a non-profit, any surpluses are reinvested in pursuit of sight-restoration and ocular research objectives rather than distributed.

Name

Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus

Legal name

Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus

Website

https://research.fbov.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus is Italy's first non-profit eye bank (founded 1987), procuring and distributing corneal tissues and cultured limbal stem cell grafts to 20+ transplant centres across Italy and Europe, with integrated GMP cell therapy, ICOP research services, and European registries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Zelarino

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Health Authority Reimbursements: Reimbursements by Health Authorities for tissues distributed to surgeons for transplantation. This is the primary revenue stream supporting the foundation's operations.
2. Charitable Donations: Donations from organisations, enterprises and private citizens. The foundation explicitly states 'Each contribution, however small, is precious to us.'
3. Research Grants: Grants from national and international organizations including Italian Ministry of Health, Veneto Region, Association Francaise contre les Myopathies (AFM-Telethon), European Union framework programs, FP7 Marie Curie COFUND Programme, COST Action, Bayer Global Ophthalmology Awards Program, CariVerona Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus is a non-profit eye bank and research foundation that procures, tests, processes, preserves, stores and distributes human ocular tissue (corneas, pre-cut lenticules, preloaded posterior lenticules, sclera and amniotic membrane) for transplantation. It operates a GMP-certified Cell Factory that cultivates limbal-corneal epithelial stem cells for treating limbal stem cell deficiency, and runs the International Centre for Ocular Physiopathology (ICOP) for clinical studies, ophthalmic product testing and biobanking of human ocular tissues for research. It also provides a tertiary Diagnosis and Counselling service for complex ocular surface diseases.

Product overview

Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus operates as a multi-faceted eye banking and research organization offering ocular tissue procurement, processing, preservation and distribution services; a Cell Factory for stem cell therapy treating limbal stem cell deficiencies; the International Centre for Ocular Physiopathology (ICOP) for clinical studies and medical device testing; and a Diagnosis and Counselling Centre for complex ocular surface diseases. The organization distributes over 500 ocular tissues annually and has treated more than 200 patients with stem cell therapy. Core tissue products include corneas for various keratoplasty procedures, pre-cut lenticules, preloaded posterior lenticules, sclera, and amniotic membrane. The foundation also participates in European registries (ECCTR) and EU-funded research projects (EuroGTP II).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ICOP: International Centre of Ocular Physiopathology - a division of the foundation undertaking leading-edge research in ophthalmology with emphasis on eye banking, ocular surgery and ophthalmic products.

Products and services

• Eye Banking Services End-to-end service encompassing procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and distribution of human ocular tissue for transplantation, including corneas for penetrating keratoplasty, endothelial keratoplasty, anterior lamellar keratoplasty, sclera and amniotic membrane, provided to transplant centres throughout Italy and internationally.
• Cell Factory Stem Cell Therapy (Cultured Limbal Stem Cell Transplantation) GMP-certified manufacturing of cultured limbal-corneal epithelial stem cell grafts for treating patients with limbal stem cell deficiencies that do not respond to conventional corneal transplantation, achieving a 60-80% success rate across more than 200 treated patients.
• International Centre for Ocular Physiopathology (ICOP) Research Services Contract research and testing services including clinical studies, biorepository access to human retina and choroid tissues, testing of eye drops and medical devices, development of new preservation media and surgical tools, and ocular toxicology tests for companies, research centres and universities.
• Pre-cut Cornea (Lenticule) for Endothelial Keratoplasty Corneosclal tissue pre-cut with a microkeratome, of varying thickness and diameter, consisting of endothelium and a portion of corneal stroma prepared for endothelial lamellar keratoplasty surgery.
• Preloaded Posterior Lenticule (Pre-loaded DMEK Graft) Pre-cut lenticule consisting of corneal stroma and endothelium, pre-loaded in the transplantation device for Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK); reduces cost, preparation issues, tissue wastage and surgical time, storable up to 4 days.
• Diagnosis and Counselling Centre Tertiary out-patient referral service for the diagnosis of complex diseases of the ocular surface, serving referred patients and ophthalmic surgeons with a wide range of ocular surface disorders.
• Biobanking of Ocular Tissues for Research Storage and distribution of donor ocular tissues (those unsuitable for therapeutic use) for research, education and training purposes, making human ocular tissues available to research institutions, universities and companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 3,000 people restored to sight every year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Feature6 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• German Society for Tissue Transplantation (DGFG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2021Co-host of Foresight 2021 virtual scientific workshop focusing on how eye banks can effectively work with industry without compromising non-profit status. Presentations from experts in bioethics, law, nonprofit governance, ophthalmology research and industry.
• Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration (New York)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2020Co-host of Foresight 2020 virtual scientific workshop on innovative approaches in eye banking. International collaboration bringing together basic science and clinical researchers to share knowledge on treatment of blinding eye diseases.
• Barberini EyewearminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on dry eye study. Barberini participates in and funds the research laboratories of the Foundation. Study evaluates the protective effectiveness of optical glass ophthalmic lenses (Platinum Glass™) against Infrared Radiation in patients affected by dry eyes.
• European Eye Bank Association (EEBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership and active participation in European Eye Bank Association. Hosted XXVII Annual Meeting in Venice (January 2015). Collaborates on ECCTR project and eye banking standards development.
• European Society of Cataract and Refractive SurgeonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ECCTR (European Cornea and Cell Transplantation Registry), a European consortium building an EU web-based registry for cornea and cell transplantation safety and quality assessment.
• European Society of Cornea and Ocular Surface Disease SpecialistscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ECCTR consortium working to establish common assessment methodology and EU web-based registry for cornea transplantation.
• NHS Blood and TransplantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ECCTR registry project, contributing to EU-wide registry for assessing safety, quality and efficacy of cornea transplantation.
• Nederlandse Transplantatie StichtingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in ECCTR registry project in the Netherlands, contributing to European cornea transplantation data network.
• University of MaastrichtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in ECCTR registry project, contributing research expertise to cornea transplantation assessment methodology.
• Blekinge Lans LandstingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in ECCTR registry project from Sweden.
• University of ParmaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in ARMD project (Age-related Macular Degeneration: analysis of gene expression in the human retina), studying gene expression alterations in retinal/choroid tissues of ARMD patients.
• Alto Vicentino ULSS4 HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in bEYElateral STEM CELL project for regeneration of ocular surface in patients with bilateral limbal stem cell deficiency.
• University of PerugiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in FP7 Marie Curie COFUND Programme project on TARGETING CONNEXIN 43 BY GENE THERAPY for scar reduction and regenerative healing of human cornea.
• IRCCS G.B. Bietti FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating partner in LSCD: Towards a Tissue Engineered Hemicornea project, working on innovative treatment for total limbal stem cell deficiency.
• University of Padova (Department of Molecular Medicine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore research partner in EEC syndrome project and Barcelona Principles ethical agreement. Collaborative research network for genetic profiling and gene expression studies in ocular diseases.
• University Hospital of VeronaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in mesenchymal stem cells project for cornea regeneration, the leading institution in the study on bone marrow-derived MSC for GVHD treatment.
• EuCorneaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on EuCornea Educational Webinar series. Fondazione contributed to COVID-19 and Corneal Grafting webinar alongside international cornea specialists.
• S.I.TRA.C. (Società Italiana Trapianto di Cornea)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual participation in S.I.TRA.C. national congress for Italian cornea transplant community. Organised Webcongress on cornea transplant in pandemic era.
• ERN-EYE (European Reference Network for Rare Eye Diseases)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 29 Healthcare Providers in ERN-EYE network spanning 13 EU countries. Collaboration on ontology workshops, clinical guidelines, registries, and CPMS platform development for rare eye diseases.
• COST Action BM1302 (Joining Forces in Corneal Regeneration Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating in COST Action combining scientific, clinical and industrial knowledge in corneal regeneration. Links researchers in biomaterial research, stem cell manipulation, tissue engineering, ophthalmology and immunology.
• Barcelona Tissue Bank (Banc de Teixits de Barcelona)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinator of EuroGTP II project. Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto is one of 14 Associative partners from 11 Member States in this EU-funded project.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SightLife: Non-profit eye bank (US/global) addressing corneal blindness through tissue recovery, surgeon training, and prevention programs. Operates an international tissue distribution model analogous to FBOV's >50% cross-region shipment ratio.
• German Society for Tissue Transplantation (DGFG): German non-profit tissue banking organization co-hosting Foresight 2021 with FBOV. Operates tissue procurement, processing and distribution across multiple tissue types including ocular tissue under a comparable non-profit reimbursement model in Germany.
• Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration: New York-based non-profit eye bank that co-hosts Foresight workshops with FBOV. Both procure, process and distribute corneal tissue for transplant and run professional education programs for ophthalmic surgeons; directly comparable in mission, operating model, and downstream customer base.
• NHS Blood and Transplant: UK national health service arm responsible for tissue (including ocular) procurement, processing and allocation. Direct ECCTR consortium partner with FBOV; operates at comparable scale in corneal tissue distribution under a publicly funded reimbursement model.
• Eversight: Large US non-profit eye bank network providing corneal tissue procurement, processing, distribution, and ocular research services. Comparable in mission and operating model to FBOV, with similar regulatory certifications and transplant-center relationships.
• CorneaGen: US-based corneal tissue provider focused on surgeon-centered graft preparation (including pre-loaded and pre-stripped DMEK/DSAEK tissues) with innovations directly parallel to FBOV's pre-loaded DMEK program. Targets ophthalmic surgeons with comparable tissue products and services.
• Barcelona Tissue Bank (Banc de Teixits de Barcelona): Coordinator of the EuroGTP II project in which FBOV participates as an associative partner. Operates as a regional tissue bank with similar ocular tissue processing capabilities and shares the EU regulatory and standards-setting agenda.
• Nederlandse Transplantatie Stichting (Dutch Transplant Foundation): Dutch national organization coordinating tissue donation and transplantation including ocular tissue. Direct ECCTR consortium partner with FBOV; comparable in regulatory mandate, reimbursement model, and cross-border tissue distribution activity within Europe.

Regional players

• Blekinge Läns Landsting (Regional Eye Bank, Sweden): Swedish regional tissue provider participating in the ECCTR consortium with FBOV. Provides comparable corneal tissue banking services primarily within Sweden, illustrating the regional tissue-bank model that FBOV competes against and partners with across Europe.
• San Raffaele Eye Bank: Italian eye bank at IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in Milan. Operates within Italy with comparable corneal tissue processing and transplantation services, representing the most direct domestic peer for tissue distribution and competition within the Italian market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FondazioneBancadegliOcchidelVenetoOnlus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondazione-banca-degli-occhi-del-veneto-o.n.l.u.s.

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus