Menicon Launches "Seares®" Ophthalmic Field-of-View Securing Material

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Menicon Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: 3-21-19 Aoi, Naka-ku, Nagoya; Director and Representative Executive Officer CEO: Yasutsugu Kawaura) announces that it will begin sales of "Seares®," an ophthalmic field-of-view securing material developed using self-assembling peptide gel technology, on May 18, 2026.

"Seares®" is a medical device that suppresses blood inflow to the surgical site during glaucoma incisional surgery and assists in securing visibility. Please refer to the following release for information regarding the medical device approval of this product:

https://www.menicon.co.jp/company/news/vol1108.html

Treatment for glaucoma*1 includes medication, laser therapy, and surgery. If sufficient effects are not obtained with medication or laser therapy, surgery may be chosen. In recent years, some patients undergoing surgery may experience conjunctival hyperemia as a side effect of long-term medication. In such cases, during glaucoma incisional surgery, heavy bleeding during the operation may make it difficult to see the surgical site. In actual surgery, doctors may repeatedly perform procedures such as wiping away blood, aspirating it, or washing it away with physiological saline, which can make the surgery proceed with difficulty. This can place a significant burden on the surgeon.

To broadly address these medical challenges, the Department of Systems Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, and Menicon Co., Ltd. have been working on the development of self-assembling peptide (SPG-178)*2 for some time. Furthermore, the Department of Neurosurgery and Sensory Organ Surgery (Ophthalmology), Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, and our company focused on the characteristic of this peptide (SPG-178) gel to maintain high transparency even in the presence of blood, and have been studying the optimal composition as a material to assist visibility during glaucoma surgery for many years. As a result of repeated non-clinical and human clinical trials, the usefulness of this product as a medical device for glaucoma surgery has been demonstrated.

"Seares®" ophthalmic field-of-view securing material suppresses blood inflow to the surgical site during glaucoma surgery and assists in securing the surgical field of view. This is expected to improve the ease of surgical operation and reduce the burden on surgeons.

Currently, no product with similar characteristics has been confirmed in the ophthalmic market.

Moving forward, based on the spirit of "monozukuri" (craftsmanship) cultivated over the years, our company will actively engage in creating new value in the healthcare market and promote the development and provision of products that meet the needs of society and the times. We also aim to further expand our healthcare business, including "Seares®," with an eye on international expansion as well as domestic.

*1 Glaucoma It is a disease in which the optic nerve, which transmits information from the eye to the brain, is damaged, narrowing the field of vision. The main cause is considered to be an increase in intraocular pressure. The prevalence in Japan is very high, with 5%*1 of people aged 40 and over, and over 10%*2 of people aged 60 and over. It is the leading cause of visual impairment in Japan, accounting for approximately 40%*3 of all cases.

Source: Eye Frail Awareness Official Website

1), 2) https://www.eye-frail.jp/checklist/

3) Eye Frail Guide P5 https://www.eye-frail.jp/wp-content/themes/theme_eyefrail/download/eyefrail_guide_240416.pdf

*2 SPG-178 It is a peptide formed by 13 amino acids (arginine, leucine, aspartic acid, alanine) linked together. This peptide naturally and regularly self-assembles in water to form fibers with nanometer-sized widths. These intertwine in three dimensions, creating a mesh structure that forms a transparent gel containing a large amount of water.

<Product Overview>

○ Medical Device Approval Number: 30600BZX00110000 ○ Name ・Generic Name: Ophthalmic field-of-view securing material ・Brand Name: Seares ○ Class Classification: III ○ Intended Use or Effect Surgical assistance (securing visibility) during glaucoma incisional surgery. This product is a field-of-view securing material used to suppress blood inflow to the surgical site and make it easier to observe during glaucoma incisional surgery.

<Company Overview>

Since developing Japan's first corneal contact lens in 1951, Menicon has been committed to "contributing widely to society by providing better vision." Based on this corporate slogan, we prioritize the safety of the eyes in our research and development, employ unique advanced manufacturing technologies, and offer the Mels Plan to support comfortable and safe eye health for the future.