Opthea Limited (OPT): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

Are you curious about Opthea Limited (OPT) and its role in transforming the treatment of retinal diseases? This biopharmaceutical company is making waves with its innovative therapies, but what exactly is their history, who owns them, and how do they plan to make money? Keep reading to discover how Opthea, with a market capitalization of $738.77 million (AUD) as of today, is striving to become a leader in the global retinal health space, potentially revolutionizing treatments for conditions like wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Opthea Limited (OPT) History

Opthea's Founding Timeline

Year established

Opthea Limited was established in 2004.

Original location

The company was originally located in Melbourne, Australia.

Founding team members

The founding team included Dr. Megan Baldwin, who served as the CEO and Managing Director, playing a pivotal role in the company's establishment and development.

Initial capital/funding

Opthea's initial funding involved a combination of venture capital and government grants, totaling approximately AUD 13 million. This capital supported early-stage research and development efforts focused on developing novel therapies for eye diseases.

Opthea's Evolution Milestones

Opthea's Transformative Moments

• Strategic Partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim: This collaboration in 2020 was a transformative moment, bringing substantial financial backing and industry validation, which propelled OPT-302 into late-stage clinical development.
• Phase 3 Clinical Trial Outcomes: The mixed results from the Phase 3 COAST and SHORE trials in 2023 marked a pivotal moment, leading to a strategic reassessment of the program and the company's future direction.
• Company Restructuring in 2024: In response to clinical trial outcomes and evolving market conditions, implementing a company-wide restructuring to reduce operating costs and extend its cash runway represents a crucial adaptation to ensure long-term sustainability.

For more in-depth information about Opthea's investors and market dynamics, check out: Exploring Opthea Limited (OPT) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Opthea Limited (OPT) Ownership Structure

The ownership structure of Opthea Limited involves a mix of institutional and retail investors, influencing the company's governance and strategic direction.

Opthea Limited's Current Status

Opthea Limited is a publicly traded company, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) under the ticker code OPT and on the NASDAQ under the ticker code OPT. This allows the public to buy and sell shares, contributing to its distributed ownership.

Opthea Limited's Ownership Breakdown

The table below provides an overview of the ownership percentages of Opthea Limited.

Opthea Limited's Leadership

Opthea Limited is guided by a team of experienced leaders who steer the company's strategic initiatives and operations. Key members of the leadership team include:

• Dr. Megan Baldwin: Serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.
• Mr. Jeremy Levin: Holds the position of Chairman of the Board.

These individuals, along with other key executives and board members, play a crucial role in the company's decision-making processes and overall performance. More information about the company's mission can be found here: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Opthea Limited (OPT).

Opthea Limited (OPT) Mission and Values

Opthea Limited focuses on developing novel therapies for eye diseases, aiming to preserve and improve vision for patients worldwide. The company's core values revolve around innovation, scientific excellence, and a commitment to addressing unmet needs in the treatment of retinal diseases.

Opthea's Core Purpose

Official mission statement

Opthea's mission is centered around developing and commercializing innovative therapies for retinal diseases, with a focus on areas where significant unmet needs remain. This involves:

• Advancing scientific research to understand the underlying causes of retinal diseases.
• Developing novel therapies that target key pathways involved in disease progression.
• Conducting rigorous clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new treatments.
• Collaborating with researchers, clinicians, and patient advocacy groups to improve outcomes for individuals with retinal diseases.

Vision statement

Opthea envisions a future where vision loss due to retinal diseases is significantly reduced, and patients have access to effective treatments that can preserve and restore their sight. Key elements of their vision include:

• Becoming a leader in the development of innovative therapies for retinal diseases.
• Transforming the treatment paradigm for conditions such as wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME).
• Expanding their pipeline of novel therapies to address a broader range of retinal diseases.
• Improving the quality of life for patients and their families by providing effective and accessible treatments.

Company slogan/tagline

While specific slogans or taglines can evolve, Opthea's communications often emphasize innovation and commitment to patients. Common themes include:

• 'Innovation for Vision'
• 'Committed to Retinal Health'
• 'Advancing the Treatment of Eye Diseases'

These themes reflect Opthea's dedication to pioneering new approaches in retinal disease therapy and their focus on making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients. For more insights into Opthea, check out: Exploring Opthea Limited (OPT) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Opthea Limited (OPT) How It Works

Opthea Limited, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing therapies for eye diseases, particularly those affecting the back of the eye, such as wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Opthea's Product/Service Portfolio

Opthea's Operational Framework

Opthea operates primarily as a research and development company. Its operational framework involves several key stages:

• Research and Development: Opthea invests heavily in preclinical and clinical research to develop novel therapies.
• Clinical Trials: The company conducts clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its product candidates. These trials are crucial for regulatory approval and market access.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: Opthea collaborates with other pharmaceutical companies and research institutions to accelerate the development and commercialization of its products.
• Regulatory Approval: Opthea works closely with regulatory agencies such as the FDA to gain approval for its therapies.

Opthea's Strategic Advantages

Opthea's strategic advantages stem from its innovative approach to treating wet AMD and its focus on combination therapies.

• Novel Approach: Opthea's OPT-302 targets VEGF-C and VEGF-D, which are different from the standard anti-VEGF-A treatments. This novel approach may offer benefits to patients who do not respond adequately to existing therapies.
• Combination Therapy: OPT-302 is designed to be used in combination with anti-VEGF-A drugs, potentially enhancing their effectiveness and addressing a broader range of disease mechanisms.
• Intellectual Property: Opthea has a strong intellectual property position with patents covering its product candidates and technologies, providing a competitive advantage.
• Experienced Management Team: Opthea's management team has experience in drug development and commercialization, which is essential for navigating the complexities of the pharmaceutical industry.

To gain more insights into the investors profile, check this link: Exploring Opthea Limited (OPT) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Opthea Limited (OPT) How It Makes Money

Opthea Limited, a biopharmaceutical company, primarily focuses on developing and commercializing therapies for retinal diseases. Its revenue model is centered around the successful development, clinical validation, and subsequent licensing or direct sales of its novel therapies.

Opthea Limited's Revenue Breakdown

As of April 2025, Opthea's revenue streams are largely prospective, contingent upon the successful clinical trials and commercialization of its lead product candidate, Sozinibercept. Given that Opthea is still in the clinical stage, current revenues are minimal and primarily derived from collaborative agreements and milestone payments. The table below represents a hypothetical revenue breakdown based on potential future commercialization.

Opthea Limited's Business Economics

Opthea's business economics are significantly influenced by the high-risk, high-reward nature of pharmaceutical development. Key aspects include:

• R&D Investment: A substantial portion of Opthea's expenditure is allocated to research and development.
• Clinical Trial Costs: Advancing Sozinibercept through Phase 3 trials requires significant financial investment.
• Intellectual Property: The strength and breadth of Opthea's patent portfolio are critical for maintaining market exclusivity.
• Regulatory Approvals: Achieving regulatory approvals in key markets such as the United States and Europe is essential for commercial success.
• Market Access: Securing favorable reimbursement terms from healthcare providers and insurers is vital for product uptake.

Opthea Limited's Financial Performance

Opthea's financial performance is characterized by substantial R&D spending and reliance on funding through equity and debt financing. Key points include:

• Cash Reserves: As of the 2024 fiscal year, Opthea reported having sufficient cash reserves to fund operations into 2026, emphasizing its ability to sustain ongoing clinical trials.
• Operating Expenses: The company's operating expenses are primarily driven by clinical trial costs, manufacturing expenses, and administrative overhead.
• Net Loss: Opthea has consistently reported net losses, reflecting its stage as a development-focused biopharmaceutical company.
• Financing Activities: Opthea actively manages its capital structure through a combination of equity offerings, debt financing, and strategic collaborations.

To gain a deeper understanding of Opthea Limited's financial health, you can refer to this analysis: Breaking Down Opthea Limited (OPT) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.

Opthea Limited (OPT) Market Position & Future Outlook

Opthea Limited is navigating a competitive landscape in the market for novel therapies to treat retinal diseases. Their future success hinges on clinical trial outcomes, regulatory approvals, and successful commercialization of OPT-302.

Competitive Landscape

Opportunities & Challenges

Industry Position

Opthea is a biotechnology company focused on developing novel therapies for retinal diseases. Its lead product candidate, OPT-302, is a soluble form of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3) that inhibits the activity of VEGF-C and VEGF-D. This mechanism of action is different from existing anti-VEGF therapies that primarily target VEGF-A.

• Opthea is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials with OPT-302 for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD).
• If approved, OPT-302 could provide a new treatment option for patients with wet AMD, particularly those who do not respond adequately to existing anti-VEGF therapies.
• The company faces competition from established players in the wet AMD market, such as Regeneron and Novartis.

To gain more insights into the company's core values and strategic vision, explore: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Opthea Limited (OPT).