A natural allograft lens, made from human collagen, may be available to treat the most common refractive errors by 2018.
To be successfully implanted, the lenses must be produced to exacting dimensions, much less than the thickness of a human hair. The procedure can be administered in an outpatient visit.
Ophthalmic biologics and device company Allotex Inc. has partnered with 3D-Micromac, a supplier of laser micromachining systems for the photovoltaic, electronics and medical device markets to develop and market the technology.
Under the agreement, 3D-Micromac will design, develop and produce a high-precision, compact excimer laser system, exclusively for Allotex, to ‘machine’ the lenses. Allotex will manage sales and marketing to ophthalmologists and ophthalmic clinics.
We view Allotex’s innovative lens technology as the future of permanent eye correction
3D-Micromac will deliver the first prototype, developed in conjunction with Allotex experts, to the Allotex R&D facility in Zurich this year, with a second system slated for delivery to Allotex’s commercial facility in Boston. Allotex expects to begin European trials in the second quarter of 2017 and commercial rollout of 3D-Micromac’s laser systems and Allotex lenses in early 2018.
“We view Allotex’s innovative lens technology as the future of permanent eye correction. We look forward to creating a unique success story by combining their potentially life-changing technology with our laser micromachining expertise.” said Tino Petsch, CEO of 3D-Micromac.
