iSTAR Medical

iSTAR Medical – High-Level Overview

iSTAR Medical is a clinical-stage medtech company building breakthrough, minimally invasive ophthalmic implants to transform the treatment of glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The company’s flagship product, MINIject®, is a supraciliary microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) device that enhances natural fluid outflow in the eye to safely and sustainably lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. MINIject is approved in Europe and is being advanced toward U.S. market approval, positioning iSTAR Medical at the forefront of next-generation glaucoma therapies.

The company serves ophthalmologists and glaucoma patients seeking safer, more effective, and long-lasting alternatives to medication and traditional surgery. MINIject reduces patients’ reliance on eye drops and offers a single-step, predictable implantation procedure. iSTAR Medical has raised over $60 million in venture funding, including a strategic alliance with AbbVie, signaling strong commercial momentum and validation of its technology. With a seasoned management team and a pipeline focused on bio-integrating implants, the company is building a new treatment paradigm in eye care.

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Origin Story

iSTAR Medical was founded in 2010 (with some sources citing 2011) and is headquartered in Wavre, Belgium. The company emerged from a vision to address the limitations of existing glaucoma treatments—particularly the burden of daily medications and the risks associated with more invasive surgeries—by developing truly minimally invasive, tissue-integrating implants. Its core innovation centers on STAR®, a proprietary porous silicone material developed in collaboration with the University of Washington, Seattle, known for its anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties.

The idea for MINIject arose from the insight that targeting the supraciliary space—a natural but underutilized outflow pathway—could provide meaningful, sustained IOP reduction without the complications of traditional drainage devices. Early clinical trials demonstrated impressive results, with mean IOP reductions of over 40% at two years, establishing MINIject as a promising new class of MIGS device. A key milestone came when MINIject received European CE mark approval, making it the first and only commercially available MIGS implant targeting the supraciliary space. This regulatory win, combined with backing from investors like Gimv and a strategic partnership with AbbVie, has accelerated iSTAR Medical’s international commercial rollout and U.S. development pathway.

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Core Differentiators

1. First-to-Market Supraciliary MIGS Device

MINIject is currently the only commercially available MIGS implant that enhances natural outflow via the supraciliary space, differentiating it from trabecular or subconjunctival MIGS devices. This unique mechanism avoids the episcleral venous pressure floor, enabling deeper and more sustained IOP reduction.

2. Proprietary STAR® Material

The device is made from STAR®, a medical-grade porous silicone with proven anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties. This tissue-integrating material reduces scarring and inflammation, lowering the risk of complications and improving long-term performance.

3. Bio-Integration and Safety Profile

Unlike many implants that remain foreign bodies, MINIject is designed to bio-integrate with surrounding tissue, minimizing chronic immune response and fibrosis. This translates into a safer, more durable solution for patients.

4. Single-Step, Predictable Implantation

MINIject is implanted in a single-step procedure using a dedicated deployment wheel, making it surgeon-friendly and predictable. It can be used as a standalone procedure or combined with cataract surgery, increasing its clinical utility.

5. Strong Clinical and Commercial Validation

Clinical data show safe, meaningful, and sustained IOP reduction over five years. The device is CE-marked in Europe, with successful first implants completed in Australia and other international markets, and the company is actively pursuing U.S. regulatory approval.

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Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

iSTAR Medical is riding the convergence of three powerful trends in medtech and ophthalmology: the shift toward minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), the growing demand for device-based alternatives to chronic medication, and the increasing focus on bio-integrating, next-generation implants. As glaucoma prevalence rises with aging populations, the burden of lifelong eye drops and the risks of advanced surgery have created a clear unmet need for safer, more effective, and durable solutions.

Timing is in iSTAR Medical’s favor: MIGS is widely seen as the future of glaucoma care, and payers and clinicians are increasingly receptive to premium devices that reduce long-term treatment burden. By targeting the supraciliary space with a tissue-integrating implant, iSTAR is not just competing in the MIGS market—it’s redefining it. The company’s work also aligns with broader medtech trends toward bio-integration, reduced fibrosis, and improved patient outcomes through material science innovation.

Moreover, the strategic alliance with AbbVie—a global pharmaceutical leader with deep ophthalmology expertise—signals that iSTAR Medical is positioned as a key player in the future of glaucoma therapy, potentially reshaping how the disease is managed across both device and drug ecosystems.

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Quick Take & Future Outlook

iSTAR Medical is poised to become a defining player in the next generation of glaucoma treatment. The near-term catalyst is U.S. market entry for MINIject, which could unlock a massive commercial opportunity and solidify its position as the leading supraciliary MIGS device. Beyond MINIject, the company is building a pipeline of high-quality, bio-integrating implants, suggesting a long-term vision to establish new treatment paradigms across a range of eye diseases with high unmet need.

Looking ahead, success will depend on strong clinical adoption in Europe and other markets, robust U.S. regulatory and reimbursement outcomes, and the ability to scale manufacturing and commercial operations. If MINIject continues to demonstrate durable IOP control and safety, it could shift the standard of care, especially for moderate glaucoma patients who want to reduce or eliminate drops.

In a world where medtech increasingly blends material science, minimally invasive design, and long-term bio-integration, iSTAR Medical stands out as a company that’s not just building another implant—but reimagining how glaucoma is treated. Its journey from a Belgian startup to a globally recognized innovator, backed by top-tier investors and a pharma giant, underscores its potential to leave a lasting mark on eye care.