Tenpoint Therapeutics, Ltd. Company Profile

Background

Tenpoint Therapeutics, Ltd. is a global, clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing innovative treatments aimed at rejuvenating vision in the aging eye. The company's mission is to address the underlying causes of vision loss by replacing diseased cells with healthy ones, thereby offering potential curative solutions for degenerative ocular diseases.

Key Strategic Focus

Tenpoint's strategic focus encompasses:

Presbyopia Treatment: Development of BRIMOCHOL™ PF, a once-daily, preservative-free eye drop designed to correct near-vision loss associated with presbyopia.

Cataract Reversal: Advancement of TPT-161, a novel small molecule aimed at reversing cataract formation in aging adults.

Geographic Atrophy Therapy: Progression of TPT-005, a cell therapy targeting retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell replacement for geographic atrophy.

These initiatives leverage proprietary technologies and scientific methodologies to address significant unmet needs in ophthalmology.

Financials and Funding

Tenpoint Therapeutics has secured substantial funding to support its research and development efforts:

Series A Financing: In July 2023, the company launched with a $70 million Series A financing round. This round included investments from British Patient Capital, F-Prime Capital, Sofinnova Partners, Qiming Venture Partners USA, Eight Roads, and the UCL Technology Fund.

Crossover Financing Round: Following the merger with Visus Therapeutics in December 2024, Tenpoint initiated a crossover financing round with participation from existing investors, including AdBio Partners, British Patient Capital, Eight Roads, EQT Life Sciences, F-Prime Capital, Qiming Venture Partners USA, and Sofinnova Partners. The funds are intended to support the completion of clinical studies for BRIMOCHOL™ PF and commercialization preparations for its anticipated 2026 launch.

Pipeline Development

Tenpoint's pipeline includes:

BRIMOCHOL™ PF: A combination of carbachol and brimonidine designed to improve near vision in presbyopia patients. The drug has completed two Phase 3 pivotal trials (BRIO-I and BRIO-II) and demonstrated statistically significant improvements in near vision. A New Drug Application (NDA) was submitted to the U.S. FDA in April 2025, with a commercial launch anticipated in the first half of 2026.

TPT-161: A novel small molecule aimed at reversing cataract formation in aging adults. The program is in the preclinical development stage.

TPT-005: A cell therapy targeting RPE cell replacement for geographic atrophy, currently in preclinical development.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Tenpoint's innovative approach is characterized by:

Engineered Cell-Based Therapeutics: Development of specialized ocular cell types ex vivo to replace damaged or missing tissue in degenerative ocular diseases.

In Vivo Reprogramming: Techniques to reprogram cells within the eye to restore function and address vision loss.

Proprietary Drug Combinations: BRIMOCHOL™ PF combines carbachol and brimonidine to enhance efficacy and duration while reducing ocular redness, offering a potentially superior treatment for presbyopia.

Leadership Team

Tenpoint's leadership comprises experienced professionals with extensive backgrounds in ophthalmology and biotechnology:

Henric Bjarke: Chief Executive Officer. Appointed in December 2024, Mr. Bjarke brings extensive commercial and operational leadership experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, focusing on ophthalmology, hematology, and orphan diseases. He has held senior roles at companies including Inozyme Pharma, Ophthotech, Alexion Pharmaceuticals, (OSI) Eyetech, and Pharmacia.

David Guyer, MD: Chairman of the Board. Dr. Guyer has a distinguished career in ophthalmology, serving as CEO of EyeBio and previously as Executive Chairman of IVERIC bio. He co-founded Eyetech Pharmaceuticals and oversaw the development and commercialization of Macugen®, the first anti-VEGF treatment approved by the FDA for wet AMD.

Melissa Epperly: Chief Financial Officer. Appointed in June 2025, Ms. Epperly brings financial leadership experience to support Tenpoint's growth and commercialization efforts.

Rhett Schiffman, MD, MS, MHSA: Chief Medical Officer and Head of Research and Development. Dr. Schiffman leads the clinical development and research initiatives at Tenpoint.

Carol Kearney: Chief Commercial Officer. Ms. Kearney is responsible for overseeing the commercialization strategies for Tenpoint's product pipeline.

Leadership Changes

Significant leadership changes include:

Henric Bjarke's Appointment as CEO: In December 2024, following the merger with Visus Therapeutics, Mr. Bjarke was appointed CEO, succeeding Eddy Anglade, MD.

Melissa Epperly's Appointment as CFO: In June 2025, Ms. Epperly joined Tenpoint as Chief Financial Officer.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The ophthalmic therapeutics market is experiencing significant growth, driven by an aging global population and increasing prevalence of eye diseases such as presbyopia, cataracts, and geographic atrophy. The demand for innovative treatments that offer improved efficacy and patient convenience is high.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the ophthalmic therapeutics space include:

AbbVie Inc.: Offers a range of ophthalmic products and is a significant player in the market.

Alcon Inc.: Provides surgical and vision care products, including treatments for cataracts and refractive errors.

Novartis AG: Develops and markets ophthalmic pharmaceuticals and devices, focusing on various eye conditions.

Allergan (a subsidiary of AbbVie): Known for its portfolio of eye care products, including treatments for dry eye and glaucoma.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Tenpoint has established strategic collaborations to enhance its market position and innovation capacity:

Merger with Visus Therapeutics: In December 2024, Tenpoint merged with Visus Therapeutics, combining their ophthalmic therapeutic assets to create a robust pipeline addressing aging-related eye conditions.

Investor Syndicate: The company is backed by a strong syndicate of institutional investors, including AdBio Partners, British Patient Capital, Eight Roads, EQT Life Sciences, F-Prime Capital, Hillhouse Capital Management, Qiming Venture Partners USA, Sofinnova Partners, and the UCL Technology Fund.

Operational Insights

Tenpoint's strategic considerations include:

Market Positioning: Leveraging its innovative pipeline to address significant unmet needs in ophthalmology, positioning itself as a leader in vision restoration therapies.

Competitive Advantages: Proprietary drug combinations, such as BRIMOCHOL™ PF, and advanced cell-based therapies provide a competitive edge in the market.

Regulatory Strategy: Proactive engagement with regulatory agencies to expedite the approval process for its lead candidates.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Tenpoint's strategic roadmap includes:

Commercialization of BRIMOCHOL™ PF: Preparing for the anticipated U.S. launch in the first half of 2026, including building out the commercial team and infrastructure.

Advancement of Pipeline Candidates: Progressing TPT-161 and TPT-005 through preclinical and clinical development stages to address cataracts and geographic atrophy.

Expansion of Technological Platforms: Further development of engineered cell-based therapeutics and in vivo reprogramming technologies to broaden the scope of treatable ocular conditions.