MOFO REPRESENTS ALCON IN SMART LENS LICENSE WITH GOOGLE

Contact lens that monitors blood-sugar levels and corrects vision is the latest in a series of tech products designed to monitor body functions 

Morrison & Foerster represented Alcon, the eye care division of Novartis AG, in an agreement with a division of Google Inc. to in-license its “smart lens” technology for all ocular medical uses.

During the last several months, the Morrison & Foerster team negotiated and drafted the agreement and performed the patent and transactional diligence. The agreement marries Alcon’s expertise in physiology and visual performance of the eye, clinical development, and evaluation with Google’s miniaturized electronics, low power chip design, and microfabrication capabilities.

“Morrison & Foerster has deep roots in the technology and life sciences industries and we are extraordinarily fortunate that Alcon called on us to represent them in this groundbreaking matter,” said Mika Mayer, co-founder of the firm’s Venture Intellectual Property Group and chair of the firm’s Medical Device Group. “Alcon’s latest agreement with Google has the potential to improve the quality of life for millions of people.”

The agreement with Google(x), a team within Google, provides Alcon with the opportunity to develop and commercialize Google’s “smart lens” technology, with the potential to transform eye care and further enhance Alcon’s pipeline and global leadership in lenses. Under the agreement, Google(x) and Alcon will collaborate to develop a “smart lens” that has the potential to address ocular conditions. The smart lens technology involves non-invasive sensors, microchips, and other miniaturized electronics that are embedded within contact lenses. Alcon plans to use this technology to help diabetic patients manage their disease via a continuous, minimally invasive measurement of the body’s glucose level, and to help people living with presbyopia (blurred vision).

“Alcon’s collaboration with Google is a transformative step in merging technology with health care, and MoFo is delighted to have worked with Alcon on this deal,” said Van Ellis, a partner in Morrison & Foerster’s Technology Transactions, Corporate, and Life Sciences Groups.

The Morrison & Foerster team representing Alcon was led by San Francisco partner Van Ellis and Palo Alto partner Mika Mayer, with assistance from Palo Alto of counsel Walter Wu and Gal Eschet, Palo Alto associate Amy Motomura, San Francisco associate Aaron Schohn, and London associate Deirdre Moynihan.