Here are some startups to watch in OC’s medtech arena.
• Mavrik Dental, in Irvine and Tel Aviv, is commercializing its dental products, used for teeth whitening and gum and tooth sensitivity therapies, among other areas. It raised a Series A round from Ally Bridge Group in December. Other OC dental technology companies include Sonendo Inc. in Laguna Hills and Glidewell Laboratories in Irvine.
• Irvine-based LensGen Inc. created a curvature changing, fluid-optic intraocular lens, aiming to alleviate cataract and presbyopia problems and improve vision. Backers include Johnson & Johnson and a Japan-based optical products maker’s investment arm, Hoya Group. It’s raising more and prepping a submission for U.S. clearance.
• Tracking a trendline, Kanvas LLC in Newport Beach says it makes the only certified child-resistant disposable vaporizer for cannabis. Andy Fathollahi, founder of mobile accessories maker Incipio, gave up the CEO role at that company last year to start Kanvas, which also makes vape pens, cartridges and humidity controlled jars.
Others include NuEyes Technologies Inc., working with Comcast to put entertainment streaming on virtual reality glasses and Eyedaptic Inc., developing augmented reality glasses for macular degeneration patients.
— Jessie Yount
