Alievio

About Alievio

Alievio, Inc., operating from Durham's Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, is a medical device company concentrated on developing treatments for glaucoma. Founded in 2010 by Lucinda Camras, PhD, and Roberto Alfaro, MBA, the company was initially named Camras Vision before rebranding in June 2019 to better reflect its mission. The name 'Alievio' is intended to evoke alleviation and relief for individuals with late-stage glaucoma. The company has focused on addressing the unmet needs of glaucoma patients for whom existing treatments have not been sufficiently effective.

Alievio's core technology is the Sollevio Glaucoma Drainage Device, an implantable shunt designed to lower intraocular pressure (IOP), the primary modifiable risk factor in glaucoma progression. The device works by draining aqueous humor to control IOP, and it is designed to allow physicians to make adjustments to the pressure. A key feature of the device is its outlet tube, described as being as soft as a contact lens, and the overall procedure is designed to be minimally invasive. This approach targets patients, particularly those in later stages of the disease, aiming to preserve their remaining vision and improve their quality of life.

From a financial perspective, Alievio has operated as a Series A company. The company successfully raised a total of $12.2 million over 10 funding rounds, which included a mix of seed funding, early-stage venture rounds, and grants. Its most significant funding event was a Series A round on April 9, 2018, which raised $5.7 million. Key institutional investors have included VCapital, InFocus Capital Partners, Triangle Venture Alliance, Duke Angel Network, and America's Seed Fund. Despite its patented technology and positive initial trial results, an investor noted the company's eventual demise, though management continued efforts to market its intellectual property.