Neuroptix raises $18.5m to develop Alzheimer's test

Neuroptix Corp., an Acton life sciences company, today announced that it has raised $18.5 million in a Series B funding round.

The round was led by Inventages, a venture capital firm with offices in Switzerland, Neuroptix said; Rockport Venture Partners acted as the financial advisor on the transaction.

Neuroptix is focused on the early detection of Alzheimer's disease through a non-invasive eye test. To that end, it working on the development of what it calls the Neuroptix Sapphire diagnostic platform, which consists of a non-contact optical device combined with an eye drop that specifically identifies Alzheimer's-related proteins found in the lens of the eye.

Neuroptix said the new funding will help it as it advances its diagnostic test toward clinical trials.

In a statement, company president and chief executive Paul Hartung (right) added: "We are very pleased with the results of our successful B round, in support of our efforts to create and commercialize an effective non-invasive and early test for Alzheimer's. Our goal is to help patients, physicians, and pharmaceutical companies combat the disease in its earliest stages, where intervention will do the most good."
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)