Novartis’ eye care division Alcon has set a goal to develop a digital platform for streamlining cataract surgery, in collaboration with Philips.
The planned SMART Suite aims to link diagnostic and surgical devices through a cloud-based system built on Philips’ HealthSuite platform, and to integrate the devices with a surgical practices’ existing third-party equipment and electronic medical systems.
The plan is to give eye care professionals access to patients' diagnostic data throughout a cataract operation, simplifying the end-to-end clinical process while helping them optimize their procedures for each patient. Alcon said it hopes to announce additional details in the middle of next year.
It will also build upon Alcon’s previous offerings, such as the cloud-based ORA System that provides guidance and verification during cataract refractive surgery. HealthSuite's cloud will also aggregate and store the data collected, and allow secure exchanges between facilities, clinicians and patients.
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Last year, Alcon introduced its Clareon intraocular lens for cataract surgeries and a preloaded, automated, disposable delivery system. The CE-marked lens is constructed of a next-generation polymer biomaterial, with the company saying it builds on the benefits of its AcrySof platform. Alcon was aiming for FDA approval by 2019.
Novartis previously announced plans to spin off its Alcon unit into an independent company at some point in the first half of next year. Alcon will be separately traded and based in Switzerland, with its current home of Fort Worth, Texas, serving as a key location.
The Big Pharma will retain the ophthalmology drugs separated out from the unit’s portfolio in 2016, leaving the new Alcon to focus entirely on eye devices and surgical products.