UI start-up Oculis listed on Nasdaq

The eye care biopharmaceutical company Oculis, one of UI's start-up companies, rang the Nasdaq opening bell yesterday to celebrate being publicly listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The University of Iceland strives to promote innovation and the technical transfer of research and Oculis is the first UI start-ups to achieve the remarkable milestone of being listed on Nasdaq. The men behind the company and the solutions it has developed are Einar Stefánsson, professor emeritus of ophthalmology, and Þorsteinn Loftsson, professor emeritus of pharmacy. 

"It was amazing fun, we were at the global headquarters of Nasdaq yesterday and helped them open the stock market by ringing the bell and various other things," said Einar Stefánsson, speaking to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.

The two scientists have developed a topical eye drop that removes the need to use hypodermic needles. Nanoparticles of cyclodextrins have been developed that are able to transport the drug in the eye drop from the surface of the eye to back.  This means it is no longer necessary to inject the drug directly into the eye. This was previously considered scientifically impossible, but Þorsteinn and Einar have proved that this is not the case.  

Einar Stefánsson, professor emeritus, is an esteemed scientist and one of the most prolific researchers at the University of Iceland and the National University Hospital.  His research has frequently inspired innovation and spawned start-up companies and he has received many awards for his contributions to science. For example, Einar was recognised by the National University Hospital a few years ago and in the autumn of 2014 was awarded a special prize from the Danish Ophthalmology Association for his vital contributions to international ophthalmology research. He received the Ása Guðmundsdóttir Wright Award in 2008, the same year he also received the Gonin Medal.  Einar has also won the Gold Medal at the Nordic Congress of Ophthalmology.  

Þorsteinn Loftsson, professor emeritus, is a highly respected scientist and one of the most prolific researchers in Iceland. He is behind many remarkable innovations in pharmacy and medicine, which have been patented in multiple countries. Þorsteinn has one of the highest numbers of patents among University of Iceland researchers and has also founded a number of start-up companies wholly based on his inventions.  Furthermore, Þorsteinn has been incredibly successful in winning international grants to fund a wide range of pharmaceutical and medical research.  Along with several other Icelanders, Þorsteinn has been included on a special list by Thomson Reuters ranking the most influential scientists of our time. 

Þorsteinn Loftsson and Einar Stefánsson happy campers at the global headquarters of Nasdaq yesterday.