If you have been following the medical news, you know that Alphabet’s (Google’s parent company) Verily Life Sciences is working with a company called Novartis to develop hi-tech contact lenses, like one that can monitor the wearer’s glucose levels, and another aimed at addressing farsightedness by autofocusing what’s in view.Human trials of the autofocus contact lens was expected to begin this year, but unfortunately that is no longer the case. According to a report from Reuters, it seems that the plan to begin trials this year was called off and according to a statement provided by a spokeswoman for Novartis seems to suggest that the company has no idea when they can expect to begin.
The spokeswoman notes that they are progressing steadily in terms of developing the technology, but it’s not quite there yet as far as human trials are concerned. “It is too early to say when exactly human clinical trials for these lenses will begin. This is a very technically complex process and both sides are learning as we go along. We will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
It is also unclear as to when the glucose measuring lens will enter trials as well, but presumably it is facing similar delays. Back in 2015, Novartis Chief Executive Joe Jimenez said that he hoped the lens would be ready and available in the market in the next 5 years, but with human trials being called off for this year, we reckon Jimenez’s goal could potentially take a bit longer.
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