EYE-GO, a Danish MedTech company, is on the verge of revolutionising the way eye medication is administered. With their innovative device, MistGo®, it’s much simpler to get the exact amount of medication you need—without it running down your cheeks.

By Dorthe Sjøbeck Christiansen, Communications Manager at the GTS Association

Have you ever struggled with eye drops? Did you manage to apply the correct number of drops, or did most of it miss your eye? If so, you’ll be pleased to learn about a new device called MistGo®. It’s designed to make using eye medication much easier.

“Many people worldwide use eye drops, yet there has been very little innovation in the containers used to dispense them. This is because pharmaceutical companies have primarily focused on the medication itself, not the delivery mechanism. As a result, today’s medicine containers are virtually unchanged from those used 50 years ago,” says Morten Jacobsen, Senior Project Manager at the startup EYE-GO.

EYE-GO aims to change that with MistGo®—a combination product that integrates the device and the medication. It’s a type of container that holds an ampoule of medicine, allowing you to dispense the correct dose with a single press.

Using the MistGo® device makes applying eye medication much easier. Photo: EYE-GO

Developing the Product

The journey from concept to nearly market-ready product has taken approximately ten years. This demonstrates the expertise and patience required to bring a new medical device to the market. The product’s progress has depended on securing funding, with development accelerating during periods of investment and slowing when funds were scarce, explains Morten Jacobsen. EYE-GO has benefited from investments from loyal private investors and larger funds. Additionally, they have received support from the Innovation Fund through the Innobooster program on three occasions, which Morten Jacobsen praises for being both transparent and effective.

To test the need for and use of MistGo®, EYE-GO conducted usability studies. “The amazing thing is that everyone who tries the device says it is much easier to use MistGo® than the containers they currently use—and they wish it were on the market,” says Morten Jacobsen. He is therefore confident that eye medication users will eagerly embrace this device.

Flexible Collaboration with the Danish Technological Institute

From the inception of MistGo® to today, a series of tests and validations have been conducted to ensure the product functions as intended. For these purposes, EYE-GO has frequently collaborated with the Danish Technological Institute. Currently, their collaboration focuses on testing and ensuring that the filling of liquid into the ampoule is done under sterile conditions. Because while the ampoule is sterile at the start, it must remain so when the liquid is filled and once it’s been used for some time.

“Testing the filling process requires access to laboratories and controlled procedures. These tests enable us to validate our design—and the closer we get to market, the more tests are needed. It’s crucial that they are performed correctly by a trustworthy entity for both investors and buyers,” emphasises Morten Jacobsen.

Beyond Standard Testing

Before partnering with the Danish Technological Institute, EYE-GO reached out to other test facility providers, including those in Sweden. However, conducting non-standard tests proved challenging, as providers were either too busy or found the task too extensive.

“We needed a place that was flexible and could adapt to our needs. We found this approach at the microbiological laboratory at the Danish Technological Institute. We greatly value their collaborative approach. It’s not just about booking two hours for a test. We spend a significant amount of time discussing how to conduct the tests to achieve exactly what we need, benefiting greatly from their extensive experience,” says Morten Jacobsen.

Thus, testing and validation play a critical role at every step of MistGo®’s development—and “ultimately, clinical studies must prove whether the medication remains effective in small doses, which is one of the most expensive steps toward a fully market-ready product,” explains Morten Jacobsen.

The Next Major Leap: Entering the Market

MistGo® is now close to being market-ready, but it requires a significant investor to propel the product into commercial production. The company is open to various business models, whether that involves selling a version to different manufacturers or to a single large American pharmaceutical producer. “When we talk to people and hold meetings, everyone thinks it’s a brilliant idea,” says Morten Jacobsen, who acknowledges that the final major step is the most challenging hurdle.

“There must be pharmaceutical producers who see the potential and a viable business model in MistGo®. They must be ready to break with years of conservatism and invest in a new and much more user-friendly device. I’m confident it will happen. But it takes hard work to get there. Until then, we continue to demonstrate MistGo®’s potential,” Morten Jacobsen asserts.