StemSight, a Tampere-based BioTech startup developing stem cell therapies for vision restoration, has raised €2.3 million in funding to advance StemSight toward clinical trials for limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), a specific type of corneal blindness.
The funding round included participation from Voima Ventures, Finnish family offices (Stephen Industries Inc. and Biothom Oy), private investors, and Business Finland.
The funding will enable key preclinical studies, R&D expansion, and manufacturing pilots, advancing StemSight toward clinical trials and bringing “new hope to patients with incurable corneal blindness.”
According to Laura Koivusalo, CEO and Founder at StemSight: “We are grateful for the continued support of Voima Ventures in leading the round and very happy to welcome new investors on our journey to cure blindness. This funding shows that they believe in our vision for StemSight and the world-class team we have put together to bring that vision to life. We are working on the cutting edge of regenerative medicine, and we are eager to push science to new frontiers.”
Founded in 2021 by Heli Skottman and Laura Koivusalo, StemSight develops advanced stem cell therapies to restore vision in patients with severe corneal blindness. The company aims to transform treatment options for debilitating ocular conditions. At its core, StemSight leverages Nobel Prize-winning induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology to manufacture corneal cells in a scalable, cost-effective manner.
Unlike traditional donor-dependent solutions, StemSight’s readily available, off-the-shelf therapy provides a scalable, consistent, and accessible alternative – according to StemSight. By combining corneal cells with biomaterials, the company offers a targeted, donor-independent solution for vision loss.
StemSight’s first target indication is Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency (LSCD), a rare but severe condition that leads to corneal blindness. In the future, the company aims to expand its pipeline to address additional ocular diseases, further broadening its impact on vision restoration.
Stina Wallmark, Life Sciences Investment Director at Voima Ventures, adds: “StemSight’s innovative approach to regenerative medicine stands out for us in the biotech space. By addressing severe corneal blindness through the use of emerging stem cell therapies, they are bringing hope to patients who have no existing treatment options. StemSight’s work on LSCD is just the start—this technology has the potential to transform vision care globally. We are proud to continue supporting their journey in pioneering solutions for patients worldwide.”
According to StemSight, corneal blindness is a global challenge affecting over 12 million people. Their lead product is designed to cure LSCD using functional cells derived from iPS cells. This approach aims to provide a one-time, scalable solution for patients who would otherwise have no treatment options.
As per figures provided by StemSight, LSCD affects approximately 23k patients in Europe and the U.S. This rare condition, often caused by chemical burns or firework injuries that damage the regenerative cells on the corneal surface, can lead to severe blindness.
Currently, half of LSCD patients lack access to any effective treatment, highlighting the urgent need for new therapeutic solutions.
Beyond LSCD, StemSight plans to address the global shortage of donor corneas, with 12.7 million people waiting for transplants. By developing scalable, off-the-shelf cell therapies, StemSight strives to provide vision-restoring treatments to millions worldwide who lack access to traditional transplantation options.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2025/02/the-gift-of-sight-biotech-startup-stemsight-raises-e2-3-million-to-tackle-severe-blindness/
