Oculus BioMed

What Oculus BioMed does

Oculus BioMed Limited (OBM) is a pre-clinical and clinical-stage Australian biotechnology company headquartered in Melbourne that develops a diversified portfolio of ocular therapeutics targeting retinal and corneal diseases. The company's pipeline comprises four core assets: (1) OBM-1701, a synthetic peptide analogue for wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) that demonstrated topical eye-drop efficacy in animal models by diffusing into the retina and RPE to alleviate choroidal neovascularization, with peer-reviewed validation published in TVST in August 2025; (2) OBM-17XX, a synthetic peptide for dry eye disease (DED) with anti-inflammatory, cornea cell proliferation, and tear production stimulation properties; (3) SwitchGene, an adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy platform co-developed with the Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) that delivers a tuneable decoy VEGF receptor controllable via eye-drop-administered stabilizer; and (4) ABCcolla Collagen Ophthalmic Matrix, a biocompatible acellular pig-derived cornea licensed from Taiwan-listed ACRO Biomedical that received Taiwan FDA approval in March 2025.

The business model is partnership- and licensing-driven rather than direct commercialization. OBM generates no current revenue and is preparing for an IPO on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) with legal advisor Steinepreis Paganin. Revenue is expected to flow from licensing deals, co-development partnerships, regional market rights (Australia and New Zealand for ABCcolla, with optional Chinese market access), and eventual product commercialization — likely through licensing agreements with larger pharmaceutical companies rather than independent sales infrastructure. Manufacturing is outsourced to GMP-certified Krisan Biotech (Taiwan), and clinical/research collaborations span CERA, Mackay Memorial Hospital (Taiwan), and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Singapore). Intellectual property is anchored by granted patents on OBM-1701 in eight major jurisdictions (US, EU, China, Japan, Australia, NZ, Taiwan, Canada, South Korea) extending to April 2036, and on OBM-17XX in 16 countries extending to February 2035. ACRO Biomedical is both a strategic partner and a major shareholder, providing product and geographic leverage but also introducing shareholder concentration.

Name

Oculus BioMed

Legal name

Oculus Biomed Limited

Website

https://oculusbiomed.com.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Oculus BioMed is an Australian pre-clinical/clinical-stage ophthalmology biotech developing synthetic peptides (OBM-1701 for wet-AMD, OBM-17XX for dry eye), an AAV gene therapy (SwitchGene with CERA), and a licensed biocompatible cornea (ABCcolla). Pre-revenue; preparing for ASX IPO via licensing/partnership model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmology Therapeutics and Drug Development

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Ophthalmology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ophthalmology Gene Therapies (HLAAACAG), Ocular Drug Delivery Devices (Eye Droppers/Inserts) (HLAHAIAL), Cornea & External Disease Surgical Devices (Keratoplasty Tools, Cross-Linking Systems, Amniotic Membrane Delivery) (HLAHAJAK)

Keywords

• Ocular therapeutics
• Synthetic peptide drugs
• Gene therapy platform
• Biocompatible cornea
• Ophthalmology biotechnology

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Therapeutic Drug Development and Licensing: Pre-clinical and clinical stage company developing proprietary drugs (OBM-1701 for wAMD, OBM-17XX for DED) and gene therapies (SwitchGene). Revenue will be generated through licensing deals, co-development partnerships, and eventual product commercialization upon regulatory approval.
2. Biocompatible Cornea Product Rights: OBM owns market rights for Australia and potentially other territories for ACRO's ABCcolla Collagen Ophthalmic Matrix biocompatible artificial cornea. Upon regulatory approval, revenue will be generated from product sales and licensing in licensed territories.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Oculus BioMed is a pre-clinical and clinical stage ophthalmology biotechnology company developing a diversified pipeline of ocular therapeutics. Its core offerings include proprietary synthetic peptide drug candidates (OBM-1701 for wet AMD and OBM-17XX for dry eye disease), a SwitchGene AAV gene therapy platform for retinal diseases, and a biocompatible acellular artificial cornea product (ABCcolla Collagen Ophthalmic Matrix) licensed for Australia and New Zealand. The company intends to commercialize these products through licensing partnerships and co-development with larger pharmaceutical companies.

Product overview

Oculus BioMed is developing a diversified portfolio of ocular therapeutics and medical devices comprising four core offerings: OBM-1701 (synthetic peptide for wet AMD), OBM-17xx (synthetic peptide for dry eye disease), ABCcolla Collagen Ophthalmic Matrix (biocompatible artificial cornea), and SwitchGene gene therapy platform. The company operates as a pre-clinical and clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation ocular therapies to preserve and improve vision in patients with retinal and cornea disorders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OBM-1701 OBM-1701 is a synthetic peptide analogue drug candidate for treating wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). It demonstrates anti-angiogenic activity, suppresses HIF-1α in retinal pigment epithelial cells, and can be delivered topically via eye drops, potentially eliminating the need for intravitreal injections required by current anti-VEGF therapies. Product is currently in pre-clinical and clinical development.
• OBM-17XX OBM-17XX is a synthetic peptide analogue in development for dry eye disease (DED). It exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, stimulates cornea cell proliferation, and increases tear production. Successfully synthesized with 99.6% purity. CMC documentation is under development. Product is for treatment and/or prophylaxis of chronic dry eye disease.
• ABCcolla Collagen Ophthalmic Matrix ABCcolla is a bioregenerative cornea product derived from acellular pig cornea, processed with Supercritical CO2 extraction to remove cells and nucleic acids while preserving collagen proteins. Used for lamellar keratoplasty procedures as a corneal graft substitute for patients with corneal melting, trauma, infections, and severe corneal injuries. Licensed for Australia and New Zealand markets.
• SwitchGene Gene Therapy SwitchGene is a novel gene therapy approach utilizing an adeno-associated virus (AAV) construct that introduces a decoy receptor binding intracellular VEGF. It uses a fusion protein with a destabilizing domain for tuneable, on-demand suppression of retinal neovascularization, switchable via a stabilizer compound administered as eye drops. Potential application in diabetic retinopathy and other VEGF-aberrant ocular diseases.

Quantifiable outcome

• OBM-1701 demonstrated effective diffusion into retina and RPE with choroidal neovascularization alleviation in wet-AMD animal model via topical application
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and supporting.

• Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2023Oculus BioMed entered collaboration agreement with CERA for development of SwitchGene - a therapeutic gene as novel anti-VEGF therapy for diabetic macular edema (DME). CERA's Genetic Engineering team led by Associate Professor Rick Liu will validate the technology in animal models. Both parties jointly fund the project with equal representation steering committee overseeing research, IP development and risk management.
• Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 August 2023OBM CEO visited TTSH in Singapore invited by Dr. Rupesh Agrawal (Deputy Research Head) to tour Ophthalmology department research facilities and discuss potential future collaboration. TTSH is flagship hospital of National Healthcare Group with NHG Eye Institute (NHGEI) center of excellence.
• Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) - Corneal ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 October 2021R&D Agreement with CERA for Corneal Scaffold Endothelialisation Project to improve successful rates in keratoplasty. Research team led by Professor Mark Daniell, Professor Greg Dusting and Dr. Karl Brown. CERA ranks in world's top 5 ophthalmology research institutions and is WHO Collaborating Centre for Prevention of Blindness.
• Mackay Memorial Hospital (MMH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2020OBM entered R&D agreement with MMH in Taipei, Taiwan for commissioned validation research on OBM-1701 for wet AMD treatment. Research conducted by team led by Professor Yeou-ping Tsao and Dr. Tsung-Chuan Ho. MMH is one of Taiwan's largest medical centers established 1912.
• Krisan Biotech Co., Ltd.coreTechnology or Integration · 31 August 2018Krisan Biotech successfully manufactured OBM-1701 batch at 99.5% purity by HPLC. Founded August 2015, located in Tainan Science Park, Taiwan. Provides CRO/CDMO/CMO services with PICS/GMP certified pilot plant. Services include process R&D, analytical method R&D, CGMP production, CMC compiling and regulatory consultation for peptides and small molecules.
• ACRO Biomedical Co., Ltd.coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerLicensing and Collaboration Agreement for ABCcolla Collagen Ophthalmic Matrix (bioregenerative cornea) for Australia and New Zealand with option for Chinese market. OBM holds market rights for licensed territories. ACRO granted Taiwan FDA approval March 2025 for the cornea product. ACRO is publicly listed on Taiwan Stock Exchange (TPEx code 6748) and is a strategic partner and major shareholder of OBM.
• Steinepreis PaganinsupportingOthersLegal advisor engaged to review corporate structure, advise on legal requirements for capital raising, and prepare for IPO on ASX. Specializes in corporate law, capital markets, M&A, biotechnology and life sciences.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Graybug Vision: Clinical-stage ophthalmology company developing sustained-release injectable formulations for wet AMD and other ocular diseases — comparable drug delivery innovation approach to anti-VEGF therapy.
• EyePoint Pharmaceuticals: Specialty ophthalmology company developing sustained-release anti-VEGF and corticosteroid treatments for retinal diseases — directly comparable as ocular therapeutic developer targeting wet AMD/DME with differentiated delivery.
• Adverum Biotechnologies: Clinical-stage gene therapy company developing AAV-based therapies for ocular diseases including wet AMD and diabetic macular edema — directly comparable to Oculus BioMed's SwitchGene AAV platform targeting the same anti-VEGF indication space.
• REGENXBIO: Clinical-stage gene therapy company with proprietary AAV platform (NAV) developing treatments for wet AMD (RGX-314) and other retinal diseases — competes head-to-head with SwitchGene in the ocular AAV gene therapy category.
• Kodiak Sciences: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for retinal vascular diseases including wet AMD (tarcocimab) using proprietary antibody biopolymer conjugate technology — comparable anti-VEGF retinal disease focus.
• Ocular Therapeutix: Specialty ophthalmology biopharmaceutical company developing sustained-release drug delivery platforms for retinal and ocular surface diseases — overlapping ocular therapeutic focus and similar pipeline-stage profile to Oculus BioMed.
• Clearside Biomedical: Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics delivered via suprachoroidal space injection for retinal and choroidal diseases including AMD and DME — comparable ocular drug delivery approach targeting same indications.

Broad incumbents

• Aerie Pharmaceuticals: Established ophthalmic pharmaceutical company (acquired by Alcon) focused on glaucoma, dry eye, and retinal diseases with multiple commercial products — broader incumbent in ocular therapeutics with relevant pipeline overlap in DED.
• ProQR Therapeutics: Clinical-stage RNA therapeutics company with ophthalmology programs targeting inherited retinal diseases — broader incumbent developing novel modalities for ocular indications with overlapping gene/RNA-based therapeutic approach.

Emerging players

• Aviceda Therapeutics: Clinical-stage biotech developing glycomedicine-based therapeutics for ocular diseases including geographic atrophy and inflammatory ocular conditions — emerging peer in the broader ocular therapeutics innovation space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oculus-biomed-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Oculus BioMed