BOSTON – Mintz represented CXL Ophthalmics (CXLO), a clinical-stage company developing a minimally-invasive treatment for keratoconus, in a $32 million Series A round of fundraising.

The fundraising was led by AXA IM Alts through its Global Health Private Equity strategy, and also included additional investors. The funds will support the advancement of CXLO’s transformative cross-linking system, EpiSmart®, through Phase 3 trials on the way to a New Drug Application with FDA.

Member and Co-Chair of the Life Sciences practice, Bill Whelan and Associate Will Bussiere led for Mintz.

“EpiSmart has the potential to be a game-changer for the treatment of keratoconus. With a true epithelium-preserving (Epi-On) approach, CXLO is striving to deliver safer and more accessible care globally to the millions of patients at risk of vision loss. The funding announcement is an important step in achieving this goal,” said Michael D. Webb, President and Chief Executive Officer of CXLO.

Mintz, a leading life sciences law firm, represents therapeutics, vaccine, medical device and systems, research tools and diagnostics companies, as well as investment banks, venture capital firms and other investors. Our work for these clients encompasses transactional, health care regulatory, intellectual property, litigation, employment, real estate and other matters. We are embedded in the global life sciences ecosystem and provide industry leaders with practical solutions to business-critical challenges, helping them achieve their strategic and business goals.

• $22 billion+ in transactions handled in 2021 for industry clients, including public offerings, joint ventures, licensing and complex collaborations, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, distribution deals, and private financings
• Advise on the complete spectrum of FDA regulations, from clinical trials through product launch and beyond, including product approvals, labeling, and supply and distribution agreements
• Prosecute patents to issuance (more than 30 patent team members have biology or chemistry PhDs), navigate trademarks through the USPTO and health regulatory bodies, and defend patent, trade secret and trademark rights in trial courts and at the USPTO
• Successful track record of helping life sciences clients avoid — and when necessary resolve —securities class actions, governmental investigations, and disputes with collaboration/licensing partners.