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Novartis, QLT win the Helen Keller Prize for Innovation in Eye Care

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Novartis and QLT Inc. were awarded the Helen Keller Prize for Innovation in Eye Care for their collaborative effort in the development of photodynamic therapy here during the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) meeting. This is the first time two organizations were given the award.

Through the award, the Foundation hopes to draw public attention to the ongoing development of Visudyne injection treatment (verteporfin, Novartis Ophthalmics) for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration, said Chris Paterson, co-chair of the Helen Keller Award.

“The alliance has been an active cooperation between the two companies. [We are] privileged to be part of something changing the lives of so many people,” said Julia Levy, former CEO of QLT Inc., who accepted the award on the company’s behalf.

“If we can be part of the inspiration of Helen Keller, I feel privileged,” said Gusti Huber, who accepted the award for Novartis.

Helen Keller, a blind and deaf woman, is remembered for asking for a day when blindness would end.