Toronto — A Mississauga-based biotech startup is set to advance its groundbreaking eye care technology after being named the winner of the 2025 Blue Ticket Competition, hosted by the University of Toronto Mississauga’s SpinUp incubator in partnership with Merck.
20/20 OptimEyes Technologies earned top honours in the second annual competition, which supports life sciences ventures with strong potential to impact global healthcare. The award brings with it a package of resources designed to accelerate the company’s growth, including:
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A one-year membership at SpinUp, U of T’s first wet lab startup incubator.
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Mentorship and guidance from Merck’s team of scientists and business leaders.
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Access to U of T’s extensive research talent and innovation network.
Transforming Eye Care Treatments
20/20 OptimEyes Technologies is developing a novel platform aimed at rethinking corneal drug delivery to improve treatment for eye diseases such as glaucoma, dry eye, and other vision-related conditions. The company’s CEO, Frances Lasowski, described the recognition as both validation and opportunity.
“Winning the Merck Blue Ticket is an important recognition for 20/20 OptimEyes and a strong signal of confidence in our vision,” Lasowski said. “Most importantly, guidance and support from Merck give us the expertise to focus our efforts on the applications where our platform can make the greatest difference for patients’ lives.”
Industry and Academic Collaboration
The Blue Ticket Competition reflects a growing effort to connect early-stage innovators with the resources needed to scale their technologies. France Gagnon, Vice-Principal of Research and Innovation at U of T Mississauga, emphasized SpinUp’s role in fostering talent.
“We’re excited to support [20/20 OptimEyes] as they advance the development of a transformative drug in eye care that will change lives and provide more comfort for those with glaucoma, dry eye, and other eye diseases,” Gagnon said.
Christopher Tan, Executive Director at Merck, highlighted how the company’s involvement reflects its broader mission.
“Their innovative approach to rethinking corneal drugs to improve patient outcomes aligns with our commitment to groundbreaking health technologies,” Tan said.
Building a Stronger Life Sciences Ecosystem
Since its inception in 2020, the Career-Ready with CTMA and SpinUp-linked initiatives have highlighted the importance of bridging education, research, and industry partnerships. The Blue Ticket Competition adds another layer to U of T’s entrepreneurship success, which includes supporting more than 1,500 venture-backed companies and creating 20,000 jobs across Canada.
SpinUp’s incubator model is especially significant as one of the country’s only wet lab startup spaces designed for life sciences innovation. The state-of-the-art facility provides early-stage companies with subsidized lab space, advanced equipment, and entrepreneurship programming.
For Merck, the partnership underlines its 130-year commitment to driving medical breakthroughs. The company remains a global leader in developing medicines, vaccines, and health solutions while fostering collaborative approaches with promising innovators.
Innovation at the Intersection of Science and Industry
By selecting 20/20 OptimEyes Technologies for the 2025 Blue Ticket, SpinUp and Merck are signaling confidence in the potential of Ontario-based ventures to deliver real-world healthcare impact. The award not only accelerates the company’s path to commercialization but also reinforces Ontario’s growing reputation as a hub for biotech and life sciences innovation.
SOURCE: University of Toronto Mississauga
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