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"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.
"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."
(Reporting by John Miller; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
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