Alcon licenses Google's 'smart lens' technology

Novartis' eye care division Alcon has entered into an agreement with Google to in-license its 'smart lens' technology for all ocular medical uses.

The agreement with the Google[x] division, a team devoted to solving major global problems, gave Alcon the opportunity to develop and commercialise Google’s smart lens technology to manage human diseases and conditions.

Alcon parent company Novartis stated: ‘Google’s key advances in the miniaturisation of electronics complement Novartis’s deep pharmaceuticals and medical device expertise. Novartis aims to enhance ways in which diseases are mapped within the body and ultimately prevented.’

The two companies will collaborate on developing a smart lens to address ocular conditions using non-invasive sensors, microchips and other miniaturised electronics embedded within contact lenses.