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Compact Imaging, Novartis partner on at-home retina diagnostic device
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Compact Imaging Inc., manufacturer of miniaturized OCT devices, announced a collaboration agreement with Novartis Pharma AG.
Novartis will fund Compact Imaging’s development of a low-cost home-based monitor to detect disease progression in advanced cases of age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, according to a press release from Compact Imaging.
These two diseases are the leading causes of blindness in developed countries and affect approximately 350 million people worldwide, the company said.
Home retinal monitoring based on Compact Imaging’s proprietary MRO (Multiple Reference OCT) will allow fast and easy monitoring in patients’ homes, according to the release. The OCT information will be transmitted via cloud to treating physicians. If the data shows possible disease progression, the patient will be promptly notified by his or her treating physician to visit the clinic for an exam
“We appreciate Novartis Pharma AG’s commitment to advancing development of a practical device that will enable patients to monitor progression of vision-threatening retinal diseases at home,” Compact Imaging CEO Don Bogue said in the release. “Home monitoring and rapid reporting of results to treating physicians has the potential to dramatically transform this burdensome patient care model. Most importantly, it will help patients around the world get the full benefit of today’s sight-saving therapies.”