About Notal Vision

Notal Vision is the first diagnostic services company to extend eye disease management from the clinic to the home and improve vision outcomes.

By applying artificial intelligence (AI)-driven data interpretation to the unprecedented high volumes of data generated by patients at home, we are advancing eye care through precision medicine. We can provide an “on-demand” treatment regimen that is personalized to each patient’s disease activity, not the doctor’s schedule.

History

Notal Vision has its roots in the innovative culture of Tel Aviv, a globally recognized center of hardware and software distribution.

The pioneering research and development team at Notal Vision sought to change the lives of people with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) with a simple, daily, at-home test. The result of their effort is ForeseeHome®. A large, randomized clinical trial conducted by the US National Eye Institute, AREDS2 HOME Study, followed 1,520 dry AMD patients in the United States and evaluated their vision upon progression to the sight-threatening wet form of the disease. With the highly significant results from this trial demonstrating the vision benefit of ForeseeHome to patients, Notal Vision launched the product and gained US Medicare reimbursement in late 2015.

Today, Notal Vision headquarters is located in Manassas, Virginia, where the strength of our Tel Aviv R&D is combined with a veteran industry leadership team led by CEO, Kester Nahen, PhD. With a deep understanding of high-performance medical devices and software solutions, Dr. Nahen has assembled proven commercial, medical, and financial executives to be the architects of the company’s future.

The Notal Vision Monitoring Center (NVMC) is an independent diagnostic testing facility that underpins Notal Vision’s home-diagnostic capability. Directed by ophthalmologists, the NVMC is the epicenter of testing result collection, analysis, and dissemination. NVMC doctors provide continual access to data, as well as timely reports to patients and their physicians when a significant change in testing results takes place.

Notal Vision’s pipeline includes home-based Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) which has entered the clinic and will reach the market within the next two years. For the vast majority of the 1.5 million eye injections delivered each year in the US, Home OCT will enable eye doctors to treat based on individualized, continuous assessments of each patient’s disease status, moving from a standardized treatment regimen to personalized medicine.

Additional pipeline programs further optimize the vision benefits of timely and continuous disease detection and diagnosis, leveraging Notal Vision’s ability to place medical diagnostics in patients' homes and data in doctors' offices.

Leadership


Notal Vision’s executive team comprises highly diverse, experienced individuals united by their focus on the patient and a passion for pioneering value-added paradigm shifts in eye care. Together they represent more than 150 years of ophthalmic industry expertise spanning product development, clinical development, and commercialization.

Management Team

Kester Nahen, PhD

Chief Executive Officer, Notal Vision

Dr. Kester Nahen is the Chief Executive Officer at Notal Vision, where he was previously the Chief Commercial Officer. Prior to his time at Notal Vision, Dr. Nahen was Managing Director of ophthalmic diagnostic device manufacturer Heidelberg Engineering GmbH and served on the board of the company’s US subsidiary. He led the Heidelberg Engineering commercial organization through over 10 years of strong growth. From 2001 to 2006, Dr. Nahen worked in various product development, product management, medical science and professional education roles at Laserscope Inc., a Silicon Valley based medical laser company. Dr. Nahen was member of the AMS/Laserscope merger executive team. He received his PhD in Physics from the Medical University of Lübeck, Germany.

Gidi Benyamini

Chief Technology Officer and Director of Notal Vision Innovation Center

As the Chief Technology Officer and Director of Notal Vision Innovation Center, Mr. Benyamini is responsible for overseeing the research and development, Engineering and Manufacturing facility in Tel Aviv, Israel. During his 18 years at Notal Vision, Mr. Benyamini had a leadership role in the development and manufacturing of ForeseeHome and in the initiation and successful execution of the AREDS2-HOME study in collaboration with the National Eye Institute. Prior to joining Notal Vision, Mr. Benyamini was Vice President of Engineering and Manufacturing at LaserComm, a telecommunications company based in Dallas, Texas. Prior to that, he held various positions in the Israeli hi-tech industry. Mr. Benyamini holds an engineering degree from Tel Aviv University and an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

Muki Rapp, PHD

Executive Vice President, Research and Product Development

Dr. Rapp joined Notal Vision close to its inception in 2001 and, in 2007, became the Vice President of Research and Development. In this role he managed the development of the ForeseeHome AMD Monitoring Program towards commercialization. Currently, as Executive Vice President of Research and Product Development, he manages the production of pipeline technologies. Prior to joining Notal Vision, he worked as a senior software engineer for several companies in the virtual reality space for TV broadcast, as well as solutions for active eBusiness intelligence. Dr. Rapp holds PhD and MSc degrees in Neuroscience and a BSc degree in Computer Science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.

Barbara Benedict

Vice President, Diagnostic Clinic Strategy & Operations

Ms. Benedict is the Vice President of Diagnostic Clinic Strategy and Operations at Notal Vision, where she joined the organization as the Patient Engagement Leader. Ms. Benedict offers over 20 years of healthcare management experience in operational areas, with a primary focus on strategy, planning and implementing healthcare solutions for disease management. Prior to her time at Notal Vision, Ms. Benedict was the Director of Marketing Services at Conifer Health Solutions, where she directed the company’s marketing services and client strategies. Her previous experience includes numerous management positions focused on customer experience and acquisition and retention management in key service lines in the healthcare industry. Ms. Benedict holds a Communications degree from the University in South Florida in Tampa, Florida.

John Hall

Chief Financial Officer

John Hall is the Chief Financial Officer for Notal Vision. Mr. Hall has over 25 years’ experience in accounting and finance working with both Fortune 500 companies and several start-ups, where he has led successful ERP implementations and built strong finance organizations.


Board of Directors

Guy Katsav

Chairman, Healthcare Investments, Ganot Capital

Mr. Katsav has been with Ganot Capital since 2009. He has extensive financial and strategic experience with healthcare companies across many specialties and throughout the world. He oversees investments in biopharmaceutical and medical device companies as well as buyouts of healthcare service companies. Mr. Katsav serves on the board of directors of eight portfolio companies, ranging from healthcare services companies with thousands of employees to med-tech and biotech start-ups developing life-altering, cutting-edge technologies. Prior to joining Ganot, Mr. Katsav worked in global healthcare investment banking for 8 years, most recently at Lazard. He graduated from Tel Aviv University with degrees in law and economics, and received an MBA from Columbia University.

Kester Nahen, PhD

Chief Executive Officer, Notal Vision

Dr. Kester Nahen is the Chief Executive Officer at Notal Vision, where he was previously the Chief Commercial Officer. Prior to his time at Notal Vision, Dr. Nahen was Managing Director of ophthalmic diagnostic device manufacturer Heidelberg Engineering GmbH and served on the board of the company’s US subsidiary. He led the Heidelberg Engineering commercial organization through over 10 years of strong growth. From 2001 to 2006, Dr. Nahen worked in various product development, product management, medical science and professional education roles at Laserscope Inc., a Silicon Valley based medical laser company. Dr. Nahen was member of the AMS/Laserscope merger executive team. He received his PhD in Physics from the Medical University of Lübeck, Germany.

Quinton Oswald

Former CEO, Notal Vision

Mr. Oswald is an ophthalmic industry veteran and the former CEO of Notal Vision. Prior to joining Notal Vision, Mr. Oswald served as CEO of Neurotech Pharmaceuticals. As CEO of SARcode Bioscience, he was instrumental in the clinical development of lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5% (Xiidra®) for the treatment of dry eye disease, and its subsequent sale to Shire, PLC. Previously, he was Vice President & Business Unit Head for Genentech’s Tissue Growth and Repair Business. During his tenure at Genentech, Mr. Oswald oversaw the highly successful commercial launch of Lucentis® (ranibizumab injection) for the treatment of wet AMD. Prior to Genentech, Mr. Oswald led the North American Ophthalmology business for Novartis, which, in conjunction with QLT, Inc., pioneered Visudyne® (verteporfin for injection), the first drug treatment for wet AMD. Mr. Oswald also serves on the board of directors at Okogen, a developer of innovative ophthalmic therapeutics.

Anat Loewenstein, MD, MHA

Director, Department of Ophthalmology at Tel Aviv Medical Center

Dr. Loewenstein is a professor and director of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Tel Aviv Medical Center. She is considered one of the top international opinion leaders in the field of vitreoretinal disease and surgery. Dr. Loewenstein has had more than 280 publications in peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals, as well as over 20 book chapters. She has been a principal investigator in multiple multicenter drug and device studies, as well as a variety of investigator driven trials. Her main focus of research interest is early detection of macular degeneration including the development of unique technology, drug toxicity of the retina, drug delivery and penetration into the retina, and the treatment of retinal vascular disease. Dr. Loewenstein has received multiple international recognitions and awards, the most notable being The Macula Society’s Arnall Patz Medal for outstanding contribution in studies of retinal and macular diseases and The Macula Society’s Rosenthal Award.

Zvika Slovin, MD

VP of Medical Devices, Elron

Dr. Slovin brings extensive experience in founding, managing, and successfully exiting Israeli start-up companies such as RDC Communications, Gnome, Tactile Technologies and QuantomiX. At Elron, Dr. Slovin provides business guidance and serves as a director in several of Elron’s group companies.

Eliot Lazar, MD

President of eICON Medical

Eliot Lazar, MD is a clinical ophthalmologist who has focused his efforts on the development of ophthalmology assets from the early pre-clinical stages through to commercial relevance. He has been involved in advancing meaningful therapeutics, drug delivery platforms, and devices through all stages, and has been involved with a wide swath of the ophthalmology ecosystem. Eliot has worked extensively with the investment community, the clinical community and strategic participants in order to advance new and important technologies. For greater than a quarter century, Dr. Lazar has served in various capacities across the ophthalmology community and is a frequent lecturer and advisor to a wide section of the ecosystem.

Advisors

Susan B. Bressler, MD

Dr. Bressler is the Julia G. Levy, Ph.D. Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute. She is a board-certified ophthalmologist and has subspecialty training in medical retinal disorders, vitreoretinal disease, and retinal surgery. Her main research interest has been collaborative efforts in clinical trials - serving as principal investigator of an image reading center that has served as a central unit for many clinical trials and epidemiologic investigations, as Vice Chair of the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network and as principal investigator of a participating clinical center in several major clinical trials. Most studies have specific emphasis on the treatment of both non-neovascular and neovascular age-related macular degeneration and all aspects of diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Bressler has a large national and international referral practice. In addition, she has published 223 peer reviewed articles and 55 book chapters.

Scott W. Cousins, MD

Dr. Cousins is a retina-trained ophthalmologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of macular diseases, especially age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vascular diseases. He is active in both clinical and laboratory research. In his clinical practice, Dr. Cousins is involved in many trials and innovative therapies for the treatment of macular diseases, especially AMD and diabetic retinopathy. In his scientific laboratory, Dr. Cousins pursues both NIH-funded and industry-funded research in various areas of dry and wet AMD. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts, book chapters, and other publications addressing topics of research or clinical care of retinal disease, especially AMD. Dr. Cousins is currently the Robert Machemer, M.D. Professor of Ophthalmology and Immunology, Vice Chair for Research, and Director of the Duke Center for Macular Diseases at Duke Eye Center.

Jeffrey S. Heier, MD

Dr. Heier is the Co-President and Medical Director, Director of the Vitreoretinal Service, and Director of Retina Research at Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston (OCB), one of the largest and most prestigious multi-specialty ophthalmology practices in the United States. He is one of the leading retinal clinical researchers in the country for new treatments in exudative and non-exudative macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, venous occlusive disease, vitreoretinal surgical techniques and instrumentation, and diagnostic imaging of the retina. Dr. Heier is the lead investigator on numerous clinical trials, ranging from phase I safety and proof of concept trials to phase IV post-marketing studies. He lectures nationally and internationally on retinal research and the innovative approach to the treatment of retinal diseases. He has authored or co-authored numerous works in peer-reviewed journals.

Allen C. Ho, MD

Dr. Ho is an internationally recognized retina specialist who specializes in state of the art and compassionate patient care and is a leader in the development of new medical and surgical treatments for retinal disease. He is Editor-in-Chief of Current Opinion in Ophthalmology and Chief Medical Editor of Retina Today, a global publication that features new treatments for retinal disease. Dr. Ho has authored numerous scientific publications on retinal disease. He is a recipient of multiple clinical research grants investigating new treatments for macular diseases sponsored by the National Eye Institute. Dr. Ho is the Principal Investigator at Wills Eye Hospital of several collaborative clinical trials evaluating new treatments for age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy and maintains special interests in macular diseases, diabetic retinopathy, surgical retinal diseases and clinical trials investigating new treatments for vitreoretinal diseases.

Judy E. Kim, MD

Dr. Kim is a Professor of Ophthalmology with tenure at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She is active in research, education and patient care related to retinal conditions. Her research interests include clinical trials, telemedicine, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), retinal surgery and ocular imaging. Dr. Kim has numerous publications, book chapters, and monographs related to diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other retinal diseases and surgery. She is a noted national and international expert and speaker in her field, and has given over 150 invited presentations and over 100 national and international presentations. She has been actively involved with over 60 multicenter clinical trials, many as a site principal investigator, including Age-related Eye Disease 2 and Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCR.net), SCORE and SCORE2, all sponsored by the National Eye Institute (NEI).

Carl D. Regillo, MD, FACS

Dr. Regillo is Chief of the Retina Service at Wills Eye Hospital. He is the former Director of the Retina Research Unit and Principle Investigator of several major international clinical trials investigating new forms of treatment for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and a variety of other retinal conditions. Dr. Regillo has authored over 100 scientific papers, lectured nationally and abroad, and has published five major textbooks in the field. He has run several instructional courses at the annual American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting and is a recipient of the Academy's Achievement and Senior Achievement Awards in addition to the Secretariat Award. Dr. Regillo has sat on the editorial board for the American Journal of Ophthalmology, Review of Ophthalmology, Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, Ocular Surgery News, Retinal Physician, Retina Today, and Retina Times.

Christopher D. Reimann, MD

Dr. Riemann specializes in medical and surgical vitreoretinal diseases including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, retinopathy of prematurity, vascular diseases of the retina, uveitis, histoplasmosis, complications of anterior segment surgery, endoscopic posterior segment surgery, and ocular trauma. Dr. Riemann is a member of the ASRS, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Ohio State Medical Association, Cincinnati Academy of Medicine, Cincinnati Ophthalmology Society, and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. His original research in the fields of Ophthalmology, Cardiology, and Endocrinology has been published in international peer reviewed scientific journals and has been presented at national scientific meetings. He has several patents for innovative surgical technologies and enjoys sharing his passion for the blend of engineering and medicine. In collaboration with the other Retinal Surgeons at Cincinnati Eye Institute, Dr. Riemann is a principal investigator or co-investigator for many phase two and phase three FDA trials.

Rishi P. Singh, MD

Dr. Singh is a staff surgeon at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic and Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Lerner College of Medicine in Cleveland Ohio. He also currently serves as the medical director of informatics at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Singh specializes in the treatment of medical and surgical retinal disease such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. He has authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications, books, and book chapters and serves as the principal investigator of numerous national clinical trials advancing the treatment of retinal disease. He is a frequent invited speaker at national and international meeting as well as continuing medical education seminars. Dr Singh is also a reviewer for various ophthalmology and diabetes medical publications, including Archives of Ophthalmology, American Journal of Ophthalmology, IOVS, and Ophthalmology.

Partnerships

Research Partnerships

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Association Partnerships

Investors

Ganot Capital

www.ganotcapital.com

Ganot is a privately held, family owned and operated, investment company that has over 50 years of healthcare investment experience. Ganot acquires and invests through buyouts, growth capital and venture capital. Ganot's portfolio spans across the senior care sector and includes real estate properties, healthcare service companies, medical device companies and biopharmaceutical companies.

Soleus Capital

Soleus Capital, founded in 2017 by Guy Levy, is a healthcare investment firm primarily focused on the innovative areas of life sciences, including biotech, medtech, diagnostics, and genomics. The Firm seeks to capitalize on the synergies in its fundamentals-based research process by managing a long/short healthcare public equities fund as well as dedicated healthcare private equity funds focused on late-stage private investments.

Elron

www.elron.com

Since 1962, Elron has been at the forefront of Israeli innovation, as founders and early investors in companies such as Elbit Systems, Elscint, Zoran, Partner, Netvision and Given Imaging. Today they remain committed to their vision of identifying transformative technologies, nurturing gifted entrepreneurs, and building companies into technology leaders.

The Elron team is dedicated to attracting and supporting imaginative and focused entrepreneurs and startups with never-been-done-before ideas. Group companies benefit from their combined technological, strategic, entrepreneurial & business expertise, broad networks, and wide attention span.

Evergreen Venture Partners


www.evergreen.co.il

Evergreen was established in 1987 by Jacob Burak as one of Israel's first Venture Capital firms, and has grown into a leader, generating successful exits with tangible rewards for investors and entrepreneurs. Evergreen's $650 million of venture capital funds under management, invested in more than 120 technology companies, represent one of the largest and most successful portfolios in Israel.

Evergreen invests in early-stage Israeli and Israel-related companies in three main fields: software, communications and healthcare. Their investments are positioned in different segments of each of these markets to comprise a well-diversified and balanced portfolio of companies.


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