Google and Novartis to develop contact lens for diabetics
It is hoped that the new lenses will not only improve eyesight for regular users but also monitor insulin levels among people with diabetes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The technology giant Google has teamed up with the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis to develop the next generation of contact lenses.
It is hoped that the new lenses will not only improve eyesight for regular users but also monitor insulin levels among people with diabetes.
No financial terms for the deal – under which “smart” lens technology designed by Google will be developed further by Novartis – were announced.
The tie-up comes after Novartis’s chief executive, Joseph Jimenez, identified eyecare as one of the company’s three key divisions when he announced a radical restructuring in April.
Google also revealed earlier this year that it planned to develop “smart” contact lenses and said it had met officials at the US Food and Drug Administration, which oversees medical devices.
“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,” Mr Jimenez said. “This is a key step for us to go beyond the confines of traditional disease management, starting with the eye.”
In one application of the technology, Google’s prototype lens contain a sensor and electronic circuits that pick up and transmit data about the levels of glucose in tears to a mobile device. According to the research firm GlobalData, the market for blood sugar monitors is expected to reach $12bn (£7bn) by 2017.
A second project is to work on treating presbyopia, an age-related problem where people have problems focusing on nearby objects.
The search engine’s co-founder, Sergey Brin, said: “Our dream is to use the latest technology in the miniaturisation of electronics to help improve the quality of life for millions of people. ”
Mr Jimenez said he hoped a product could be on the market in about five years.
Separately, Microsoft staff are braced for the worst, with reports suggesting that the software giant could slash up to 6,000 posts within days. The newly acquired Nokia handsets division is likely to bear the brunt of the cuts.
The UK could be badly hit amid reports that the marketing team behind the Xbox games device, which has its European base in Reading, is under scrutiny.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments