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SENSIMED develops innovative medical devices focused on revolutionizing glaucoma management. Its flagship product, the SENSIMED Triggerfish, is a smart contact lens system that offers continuous 24-hour monitoring of ocular volume changes. This CE marked and FDA approved device captures spontaneous alterations in the eye, providing ophthalmologists with comprehensive data not available through traditional, single-point measurements, thereby enhancing diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
The company was established in 2003 as a spin-off from EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne). Co-founder Sacha Cerboni, among others, launched SENSIMED with the insight that intermittent eye pressure measurements were insufficient for effective glaucoma management. The founders recognized the critical need for continuous data to understand the dynamic nature of ocular conditions and improve patient outcomes.
Healthcare professionals, particularly ophthalmologists, utilize the SENSIMED Triggerfish to gain deeper insights into their patients' glaucoma progression and to tailor treatment plans more precisely. SENSIMED's long-term vision is to transform the standard of care for glaucoma patients by providing objective, continuous physiological data, thereby enabling more informed clinical decisions and advancing personalized medicine in ophthalmology.
SENSIMED has raised $25.0M across 2 funding rounds.
SENSIMED has raised $25.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
SENSIMED has raised $25.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
SENSIMED's investors include Wellington Partners.
Sensimed S.A. is a Swiss medical device company that develops the SENSIMED Triggerfish, a non-invasive smart contact lens for continuous 24-hour monitoring of intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations to revolutionize glaucoma management.[1][2][6] The device, which embeds strain gauges and telemetry in a soft disposable lens, serves ophthalmologists and glaucoma patients by providing automated ocular dimensional change data during daily activities and sleep, enabling personalized treatment through centralized registries and pattern analysis.[1][3][5] It received CE marking in 2010, FDA approval in 2016, and Japanese PMDA approval in 2018, with the company now majority-owned by SEED Co., Ltd. (over 90% stake acquired end-2019) to expand in Asia; Sensimed has raised $50.32M and holds patents in ophthalmology sensors.[1][2]
Growth momentum includes clinical validation as safe and well-tolerated for IOP-related pattern monitoring in healthy and glaucomatous eyes, positioning it at the intersection of devices, treatments, and data analytics for glaucoma diagnostics and drug research.[5][3]
Sensimed S.A., founded in 2003 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland, emerged to address limitations in traditional glaucoma monitoring like tonometry, which offers only snapshot IOP readings.[2][7] Key early figure Dr. Wismer highlighted the Triggerfish as a patient-friendly 24-hour system in 2010 interviews, differentiating it by capturing qualitative diurnal profiles via corneal curvature changes during sleep and activity.[3] Pivotal moments include CE marking in 2010, partnerships like STMicroelectronics for MEMS sensors, FDA approval in 2016, and Japanese approval in 2018 via SEED collaboration since 2013, culminating in SEED's 2019 acquisition to drive Asian commercialization.[1][3]
Sensimed rides the digital health wave in ophthalmology, converging wearable sensors, telemedicine, and AI analytics amid rising glaucoma prevalence (a leading blindness cause) and demand for personalized medicine.[2][5] Timing aligns with smart contact lens market growth—post-2016 FDA approval and 2019 SEED acquisition capitalize on Asia's aging population and regulatory wins, while patents fortify defenses in a field blending MEMS tech from EPFL roots.[1][2][7] Market forces like glaucoma's modifiable IOP risk factor favor continuous monitoring over snapshots, influencing ecosystems by standardizing 24-hour profiling for research, drug trials, and practitioner tools, potentially reducing progression via early intervention.[3][5]
Sensimed's Triggerfish positions it for expansion in AI-enhanced glaucoma care, with SEED's backing accelerating Asian sales and global registries unlocking predictive models for treatment customization.[1] Trends like wearable medtech integration and big data in eye health will shape its path, evolving influence from niche innovator to ecosystem enabler—potentially de facto standard if studies validate progression forecasting.[3][5] Watch for broader indications beyond glaucoma and further IP monetization, building on its Swiss precision to transform IOP management from reactive snapshots to proactive 24-hour intelligence.
SENSIMED has raised $25.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $18.0M Series C in October 2012.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2012 | $18.0M Series C | Wellington Partners | |
| Dec 1, 2007 | $7.0M Series A | Wellington Partners |