Perfuse Therapeutics

Perfuse Therapeutics is a private, clinical-stage biotech founded in 2020 and based in Cambridge, USA, targeting major ophthalmic diseases driven by poor blood flow. Its lead asset, PER-001, is an intravitreal endothelin antagonist implant that has shown positive Phase 2 results in both glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, demonstrating potential disease-modifying effects. The company is backed by a syndicate of venture capital firms with ophthalmology expertise and is planning pivotal Phase 2b/3 trials to advance its promising therapeutic candidate.

First-in-class endothelin antagonist delivered via a proprietary, slow-release, dissolvable intravitreal implant designed to improve ocular blood flow and address ischemia.

Perfuse operates in competitive markets dominated by intraocular pressure-lowering drugs (glaucoma) and anti-VEGF agents (DR). Its primary differentiation is targeting ischemia as a root cause. It faces competition from other companies developing neuroprotectants for glaucoma and novel mechanisms for DR, but its unique endothelin antagonist approach is first-in-class.