

IDE Group, a leader in medical technology innovation with over twenty-year track record of success developing and commercialising groundbreaking medical devices, has announced that its purpose-built ophthalmic auto-injector, OKO™, has received AU$1,200,000 grant through the Targeted Translation Research Accelerator (TTRA) program for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease to advance the commercialisation of OKO™.
The grant is supported by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and delivered by MTPConnect. This funding opportunity will support continued development of OKO™, including regulatory preparedness, and the development of strategic partnerships to integrate the device with intended therapeutics and pharmaceutical fill-finish processes.
Intravitreal injections are the standard of care for many retinal diseases, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, yet current methods rely on adapted syringes not engineered for ocular applications. IDE Group research showed that this mismatch introduces dosing variability, procedural inefficiencies, increased cognitive load for clinicians, and risk of adverse events that can negatively impact patient outcomes and clinic throughput. Recognising these challenges through extensive engagement with ophthalmologists across Australia, the United States, and Europe, OKO™ has been developed to ensure precise delivery with up to 59 times greater dosing accuracy compared to conventional prefilled syringes; while reducing procedural steps by 45%, improving patient throughput by up to 70%, and cutting per-injection costs by as much as 78% (based on internal testing, data and analysis).
Securing TTRA funding accelerates IDE Group’s market entry. Planned next steps include clinical studies, strategic partnership development, device application customisation, and establishment of manufacturing processes and infrastructure. Through TTRA’s collaborative framework, IDE Group will engage industry and clinical stakeholders to explore future applications of OKO™, including high-viscosity formulations, ultra-low dose volumes, sustained-release depots, and emerging gene therapies.
The journey to market for a novel medical technology involves anticipating and addressing feasibility, regulatory, and commercial viability risks in parallel with continued user and clinical validation. We are excited and very grateful for TTRA’s support, with which we can bring together cross-sector expertise to ensure OKO™ meets the needs of patients, clinicians, and pharmaceutical partners, ultimately reducing the burden of eye disease and enhancing vision care globally.
By leveraging the collaborative ethos of the TTRA program, IDE aims to foster partnerships that accelerate innovation, refine device capabilities, and expand the impact of OKO™ across ophthalmology indications. As healthcare systems worldwide seek cost-effective solutions to manage rising treatment demands, OKO™ stands poised to set a new standard for ocular injections.
Learn more about IDE Group’s pioneering approach and OKO’s impact on ophthalmology:
Media Contact:
Kirsty Amland
Marketing Director
IDE Group
Phone: +61 2 9647 2660
Address: 701-703 Paramatta Rd,
Leichhardt, NSW 2040. Australia
Email: partnering@ide.group
Regulatory Disclaimers:
- Evidence on file
- OKO(TM) Ophthalmic Drug Delivery System is not yet commercially available. The information provided represents the current state of development which may not yet comply with local laws, regulations, or product registration requirements in a particular country or region.