Novartis abandons a 2016 goal for testing Google autofocus lensNovember 19, 2016 - 15:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Novartis has abandoned a 2016 goal to start testing its autofocus contact lens on people, though it said the groundbreaking product it is making with internet giant Google is "progressing steadily", Reuters reports. "It is too early to say when exactly human clinical trials for these lenses will begin," a spokeswoman for the Basel-based drugmaker said in an email on Friday, November 18. "This is a very technically complex process and both sides are learning as we go along. We will provide updates at the appropriate time," she said. Novartis Chief Executive Joe Jimenez said last year his company's Alcon eye care unit was on track to begin testing in 2016. In 2014, Jimenez said he hoped the lens would be on the market in about five years. Novartis and Google joined forces two years ago to develop two kinds of "smart" contact lenses: An autofocusing lens for people with presbyopia, or far-sightedness, and another for measuring blood glucose levels in diabetes patients. The lenses are now being developed with Alphabet Inc.'s life sciences unit Verily, which was carved out from Google in 2015. Measuring blood sugar via the eye could allow diabetics to stop having to prick their fingers, while an autofocus contact lens would help people whose ability to focus is impaired when their eyes age. It is unclear when testing for the diabetes lens will start. Since the partnership with Google was launched in 2014, Alcon's sales have slid and its leadership team has been replaced. New division head Mike Ball has been tasked with halting the revenue decline in advance of a possible sale of the unit. But Novartis said that did not bar investment in innovative projects such as the lens effort with Google. "Advancing innovation such as the smart lens technology, is a key part of Alcon's growth strategy," the spokeswoman said. "The 'smart lens' technology has the potential to transform eye care and further enhance our pipeline ... in the contact lens and intraocular lens space." Top stories Yerevan will host the 2024 edition of the World Congress On Information Technology (WCIT). Rustam Badasyan said due to the lack of such regulation, the state budget is deprived of VAT revenues. Krisp’s smart noise suppression tech silences ambient sounds and isolates your voice for calls. Gurgen Khachatryan claimed that the "illegalities have been taking place in 2020." Partner news Most popular in the section | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |