OKO™ Auto-Injector Solution for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery

A revolution in delivering ocular therapies

We believe that therapeutic efficacy and treatment efficiency should not be compromised by a pharmaceutical’s delivery method. Yet, in ophthalmology, such compromises are experienced every day.

It does not need to be this way! So we set out to change this by creating a revolutionary and innovative new ophthalmic auto-injection system.

Complexity and compromises, yet little innovation

Ocular injections utilise devices not designed for the unique challenges of the eye. This introduces significant variability in drug delivery and procedural complexity, resulting in unnecessary risks and workflow inefficiencies. With little innovation to date, rising incidents of ocular disease and growing workforce shortages, the issues are exacerbating.

Small dose volumes

Dose accuracy

Precise positioning

Moving & complex organ

Anxious patient

Infection & injury risks

The status quo results in issues for all involved

The emerging standard of care utilises glass prefilled syringes in an attempt to improve workflow efficiency. Whilst such syringes are a fixture in drug delivery generally, their use in ocular drug delivery leads to detrimental compromises. They do not fully address workflow issues and are generally unsuitable for emerging novel drug formulations.

Therapeutic efficacy

Dose volume variation, 84% overdosed, 16% underdosed.¹

Up to 9 days dose response variation.²

Intraocular pressure spikes greater than 20mmHg.³

Clinic capacity

Can exceed 100 injections per day.

30% workforce shortage, by 2035.⁴

66% of clinic costs staff-related.⁵

50% of patients nonpersistent with treatment.⁶

New treatment delivery

Novel formulations extending treatment intervals.

Higher viscosities, drug depots and solid implants.

Higher, lower, and variable dose volumes.

OKO+ Ophthalmic Auto Drug Delivery Device

Introducing

Enabling and enhancing therapeutic efficacy, procedural simplicity, and workflow efficiency in a single device.

Product Specifications:

Dose volumes <10µL to 100µL
Single or variable dose settings
High dose accuracy
High viscosity compatible 100cP+
Industry standard Primary Packaging
30g needle compatible
Injection positioning & depth control
Contamination prevention
Needle Stick prevention
ISO 11608 compliant

*Based on internal testing, data and analysis

Currently in development for groundbreaking applications, OKO^TM is poised to give your treatment the clinical and commercial edge. Contact us to explore how we can empower your clinicians and deliver superior outcomes for your patients.

Make an enquiry

A comprehensive new standard of care

Step-by-step demonstration of preparing the OKO™ Auto-Injector for ophthalmic drug delivery, showing gloved hands handling, assembling, and activating the device.

Integrated intuitive priming, air free injection
Clear error free dose selection
Integrated injection positioning & needle depth control
Single handed, single action injection
Needle and fluid path contamination prevention
Needle stick injury prevention
Guided use steps to minimise errors

This could make its way to being a new standard of care.

Professor Robyn Guymer AM

MBBS, PhD, FRANZCO, FAHMS
Deputy Director, Centre for Eye Research Australia
Professor of Surgery (Ophthalmology), University of Melbourne

Benefits

With OKO, achieving efficiency, safety, and exceptional patient care simultaneously is possible.

45% reduction in workflow steps
Over 50x improvement in dose volume accuracy
Up to 78% reduction in procedure cost
90% of ophthalmologists prefer OKO over prefilled syringes
No ancillary tools required
No assistants required
Suitable for nurse administration

*Based on internal testing, data and analysis

The right drug, at the right dose, to the right ocular compartment.

Professor Andrew Chang AM

MBBS (Hons), PhD FRANZCO, FRACS
Sydney Eye Hospital Head of Ophthalmology
Sydney University Clinical Associate Professor
UNSW Discipline of Surgery Conjoint Professor
APVRS Secretary General & APAO Deputy Secretary General

Impact

OKO is a comprehensive drug delivery device that brings benefits to all stakeholders of injectable ocular therapies.

Pharmacist standing in front of shelves filled with medication bottles

Pharmaceutical Manufacturers

Treatment efficacy via improved dose accuracy and delivery
Drives clinician preference
Enhanced market position

Ophthalmologist examining a patient with specialized lighting equipment

Ophthamologists

Optimal patient treatment
Efficient and fast injections
Improved clinic throughput
Reduced errors and adverse event risks
Reduced treatment and clinic costs

Patients

Improved comfort
Improved treatment access
Improved vision outcomes and quality of life

Wow, that’s relatively effortless, it’s easy.
I’m excited, as soon as this hits the market, I’d want to try it with various drugs.

Ophthalmologist,
New Jersey, USA

Who is joining us?

We are driving a transformation in treating ocular diseases and are inviting partners to join us in bringing this innovation to market. The journey is underway, and the future of ophthalmic drug delivery is taking shape.

Our first therapeutic applications are in development, with a growing pipeline. This is a rare opportunity to be part of a pivotal moment in advancing ophthalmic treatments, and we would love to see if OKO^TM can enable and enhance your treatment.

Fill in your details to get in touch and receive additional information.

Learn more about IDE Group’s pioneering approach and OKO’s impact on ophthalmology:

Read press release

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Disclaimer

OKO(TM) Ophthalmic Drug Delivery System is not yet commercially available. The information on this website represents the current state of development and is for demonstration purpose only. Users accessing this website acknowledge and agree that information presented may not comply with local laws, regulations, or product registration requirements in their country or region. The company disclaims all liability for any actions taken based on information provided on this website.

OKO and IDE Group are trademarks of I D & E Pty Ltd.

Footnotes

[1] Vita L. S. Dingerkus, Gabor M. Somfai, Stephan Kinzl, Selim I.Orgül, Matthias D. Becker, Florian M. Heussen, “Incidence of severe rise in intraocular pressure after intravitreous injection of aflibercept with prefilled syringes,” Nature, Scientific Reports, (2022)
[3] Eleni Karatsai, Shruti Chandra, Sandro Fasolo, Sobha Sivaprasad, Robin Hamilton, “Prefilled Eylea Syringe: our recent experience,” Springer Nature, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists © Crown (2021)
[4] Sean T. Berkowitz MD, MBA , Avni P. Finn MD, MBA, Ravi Parikh MD, MPH, Ajay E. Kuriyan MD, MS, Shriji Patel MD, “Ophthalmology Workforce Projections in the United States, 2020 to 2035” Ophthalmology, Vol 131, Iss 2 (2024), Pages 133-139
[5] Timothy G Murray, Paul Tornambe, Pravin Dugel, Kuo B. Tong, Evaluation of economic efficiencies in clinical retina practice: activity-based cost analysis and modeling to determine impacts of changes in patient management,” Clinical Ophthalmology, 5 (2011) Pages 913–925
[6] Mali Okada, MMed, Paul Mitchell, PhD, Robert P. Finger, MD, PhD, Bora Eldem, MD, S. James Talks, MRCP, FRCOphth, Ceri Hirst, PhD, Luciano Paladini, MD, Jane Barratt, MSc, PhD, Tien Yin Wong, MD, PhD, Anat Loewenstein, MD, “Nonadherence or Nonpersistence to Intravitreal Injection Therapy for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration” American Academy of Ophthalmology, Vol 128, No 2, (2020) Pages 234-247