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OEX-1 Glaucoma Solution with High Sales Potential

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The Onatec OEX-1 is a smart suture set for the effective treatment of open angle glaucoma with an average IOP lowering of 8.2 mmHg. It consists of a twisted 6/0 polypropylene suture probe and a 10/0 polypropylene suture implant. 

We see a high sales and growth potential for two major reasons: First, there are only few customers who are using the OEX-1 suture probe canaloplasty set yet and the product as well as the technique are largely unknown in the market. Second, there are only two alternatives in the field of non-filtrating procedures: a) the deep sclerotomy without an implant suture and b) the iTrack-probe ABiC (ab-interno canaloplasty) without a permanent implant either. 

In Germany we sold 191 OEX-1 boxes in total, but a large portion of 152 boxes i.e. 79.58% went to a single hospital. Considering the fact that there are about 40 university eye clinics and 70 non-university eye hospitals plus many more private eye practices, sales could be much higher. Currently our market share in Germany is approx. 4.23%. The 191 boxes we sold, contain 5 pieces per box, which makes 955 applications out of 22,591 procedures in total (= 4.23%) or 955 applications out of 3,172 non-filtrating procedures in total (= 30.1%). 

Furthermore, the low number of alternatives with a similar approach may encourage competition. Current alternatives in the field of non-filtrating operations (where a deep sclerotomy is necessary) or canaloplasty (where a ring-shaped implant is used to enlarge the natural drainage canal, relieving pressure inside the eye) are:

a) Deep sclerotomy, same procedure as with OEX-1, but without implantation (ab-externo) of the suture

b) Expansion of the Schlemm’s canal with viscoelastic via iTrack-probe ABiC (ab-interno canaloplasty), but without a permanent implant either. 

Compared to iTrack the OEX-1 suture probe canaloplasty is an inexpensive procedure that can achieve significant IOP reduction of 8.2 mmHg in average in patients with glaucoma. The IOP lowering effect and low rate of complications were similar to those of iTrack canaloplasty (Kodomskoi et. al, 2019). But the purchase of the iTrack is associated with significantly higher costs. A single-use iTrack probe costs roughly four times more than the OEX-1. 

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Moreover, patients and surgeons may benefit from synergies: If a sclerotomy is performed, it is advantageous to also implant the OEX-1 within the same procedure in order to ensure a permanent dilation of the Schlemm's canal, instead of just creating a temporary drainage of aqueous humor.

Step-by-step, we will be able to distribute OEX-1 to countries outside of Germany, where we expect a similar potential for sales. So far, we have applied for approvals in the E.U. and the U.S. 

References:

  • Kodomskoi, L., Kotliar, K., Schröder, A. C., Weiss, M., & Hille, K. (2019). Suture-Probe Canaloplasty as an Alternative to Canaloplasty Using the iTrack Microcatheter. Journal of Glaucoma, 28(9), 811-817.)
  • Kodomskoi, L. (2010). 360-Kanaloplastik ohne iTrack mit und ohne Clear-Cornea-Phakoemulsifikation: frühe Ergebnisse. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd.