Novartis to Develop Google’s Smart Contact Lens

Google [x], Google’s globally-minded R&D department, has partnered with Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis to create the Google Smart Contact Lens. The lens will be then licensed through Novartis’ eye-care subsidiary Alcon, creating a more direct relationship with Alcon and Google.

The Smart Contact Lens Prototype. Source: Google.

The contact lens contains non-invasive sensors, microchips and other miniature technology to primarily detect glucose levels inside the wearer’s tears. Once the data is collected, it is then transmitted to a mobile device to help diabetes patients monitor their blood glucose levels instead having them prick their fingers every time they need to check.

With the advent of such ocular technology, Google and Alcon hope to further medical uses of smart contact lenses. Eventually, the companies hope to restore the eye’s natural auto focus to sufferers from presbyopia who can no longer see without corrective lenses. The production of these smart contact lenses will mark a real forward step in disease management.

Novartis CEO Joseph Jimenez said,

“We are looking forward to working with Google to bring together their advanced technology and our extensive knowledge of biology to meet unmet medical needs…this is a key step for us to go beyond the confines of traditional disease management, starting with the eye.” 

Novartis has been a leader in innovative healthcare solutions that help address the needs of a diversified community of patients. The company has worked to improve and create innovative medicines, eye care, cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals, preventive vaccines, over-the-counter and animal health products, making it a global leader in these areas.

For more information on the the smart contact lenses, check out the official press release on Novartis’ site.

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