Kala Bio to Distribute Virotek’s Ophthalmology Genetic Testing Program

ARLINGTON, Mass., Sept. 03, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Kala Bio and Virotek Inc. have finalized a significant distribution agreement that will see Kala Bio become the exclusive U.S. distributor for Virotek’s ophthalmology genetic testing program, effective September 4, 2026. This partnership is set to play a pivotal role in expanding access to genetic testing in the United States, with the market for genetic testing projected to grow from $5.7 billion in 2025 to $6.9 billion by 2026.

Under the terms of the agreement, Kala Bio will have the exclusive right to market, promote, distribute, and resell Virotek’s ophthalmology genomic program throughout the United States for an initial one-year term. The agreement is contingent on Kala Bio achieving specific commercial milestones, which will determine the continuation of the exclusivity.

Avi Minkowitz, CEO of Kala Bio, commented, "This agreement grants Kala exclusive U.S. rights to a commercially active genomic testing program in ophthalmology. Our strategy is to build operating scale through disciplined, staged transactions. This is a step we can take now while we continue to evaluate other opportunities."

Dr. Saeid Babaei, CEO of Virotek, added, "Signing this agreement moves us from intent to execution. Kala's commercial reach and public-company platform provide our ophthalmology program with a fast path to eye care practices, telehealth channels, and patients across the United States."

The agreement also includes a right of first refusal for Kala Bio in favor of certain ophthalmology products and services that Virotek may propose to sell or license to a third party. Additionally, the companies have established a framework to explore potential expansion into oncology, preventive health testing, telehealth, and white-label distribution channels.

Kala Bio, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, is focused on leveraging its proprietary biologics pipeline and AI infrastructure platform to drive biomedical innovation. Virotek, based in Wyoming, offers precision health and clinical genomics products and services.

The agreement follows a non-binding letter of intent announced by the companies on September 1, 2026. It is part of Kala Bio’s capital allocation strategy to build operating scale through a series of staged, capital-efficient partnerships and growth initiatives. Kala Bio believes this approach will help manage execution risk and deploy capital selectively against demonstrated milestones.

Kala Bio’s CEO, Avi Minkowitz, stated, "We are moving into execution with the Virotek team. Our strategy is to build operating scale through disciplined, staged transactions. This is a step we can take now while we continue to evaluate other opportunities."

Virotek’s CEO, Dr. Saeid Babaei, emphasized, "Kala's commercial reach and public-company platform provide our ophthalmology program with a fast path to eye care practices, telehealth channels, and patients across the United States. We're already working together on the roadmap to expand into oncology and preventive health."

The U.S. genetic testing market has shown significant growth, with the prevalence of inherited retinal diseases affecting approximately 1 in 3,450 individuals. According to market research, the U.S. genetic testing market is projected to grow, driven by advancements in genetic testing technology and increasing awareness among patients.

While the agreement does not set out specific financial terms, both companies are optimistic about the potential benefits of the partnership. Kala Bio believes that the non-invasive, specialist-administered collection combined with broad multi-gene panel coverage positions the program to address diagnostic demand effectively. Virotek’s program is expected to contribute to the expansion of the ophthalmology and broader healthcare sectors.

The partnership reflects a strategic move for both companies, aiming to leverage each other’s strengths and capitalize on market opportunities. While there is no guarantee of success, both companies remain committed to the partnership and are confident in its potential to drive significant growth in the U.S. market.