Zilia, a Canadian health technology firm, has secured approval from Health Canada for its flagship product, the Zilia Ocular.
This device is claimed to be the world’s first authorised tool for measuring oxygen saturation in the eye.
Originating from Quebec City, the Zilia Ocular is a retinal camera that employs proprietary optical technology to facilitate non-invasive measurement of eye oxygenation.
According to Zilia, this development offers eye care specialists a novel method to assess the physiological condition of the eye, potentially allowing for early detection of issues prior to structural damage.
Zilia’s platform for non-invasive biomarker measurement in the eye focuses initially on ocular oximetry. The technology integrates photonics and artificial intelligence to exploit the optical characteristics of the eye and its direct connections to the vascular system and brain, providing essential data about ocular and systemic health.
In the expanding field of oculomics, which considers the eye as a means to evaluate overall health, biomarkers like oxygen saturation play a vital role in developing preventive, personalised medicine approaches. The Zilia Ocular is central to this global trend, offering insights that were not previously available in clinical environments, said Zilia.
The company anticipates launching its device in Canada shortly, with plans to enter markets in the US and Europe thereafter.
Zilia optometrist, CEO and co-founder Patrick Sauvageau said: “This represents a true paradigm shift.
“By measuring retinal oxygenation in real time, we aim to help clinicians detect and manage eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration more effectively.”
Recently, Zilia concluded a bridge financing round, drawing new investors such as Linearis Ventures and existing stakeholders’ continued support. This funding stage is expected to expedite Zilia’s progress following successful regulatory achievements and clinical validation efforts.
The company is working towards obtaining US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for ocular oximetry, supplementing an earlier FDA 510(k) clearance acquired in 2023 for the Zilia Ocular FC retinal camera. Additionally, Zilia is gearing up for an institutional fundraising effort later this year to bolster its commercialisation strategy across ophthalmology and expand into cardiology and neurology sectors.
