The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has been at the forefront of addressing myopia, an eye disorder that affects one-third of the global population, with a novel non-invasive solution to control the development of myopia in children.
In particular, researchers from the School of Optometry have developed advanced myopia control technologies, which have been incorporated in specialised contact lenses and spectacle lenses.
Since their launch in 2018, these innovative products have reached millions of people worldwide, positively impacting the lives of children with myopia and establishing PolyU as the market leader in myopia control technology.
To boost these efforts, PolyU is partnering with ZEISS Vision Care, a leading German manufacturer of eyeglass lenses and ophthalmic instruments, to expand the global impact and speed up market penetration of PolyU’s proprietary myopia control lens technologies through global partnership involving IP licensing and joint research and development.
The licensing agreement signing ceremony was held at ZEISS Vision Care’s headquarters in Aalen, Germany, and attended by distinguished representatives from both parties including Prof Chea-su Kee, Head of the PolyU School of Optometry; Dr Benjamin Viering, Chief Technology Officer and Chief Operating Officer of ZEISS Vision Care; Kelvin Wong, Director of Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship of PolyU, and Timo Kratzer, Head of Lens Product Development of ZEISS Vision Care.
Under the terms of the agreement, ZEISS will adopt PolyU’s patented myopia control technology in its specialised optical products.
This partnership also paves the way for a long-term collaboration in research and development between PolyU and ZEISS, focusing on myopia control and other ophthalmic technologies.
The signing of this agreement extends the partnership between the university and the lens manufacturer, which started some years ago, when they began to explore collaboration on research and education.
Mr Wong expressed his enthusiasm over the partnership: “This collaboration with a global industry leader, like ZEISS Vision Care, not only accelerates the market presence of our innovations, but also amplifies the impact of our research and endeavours in commercialisation. PolyU innovations in the areas of myopia control and other ophthalmic issues are poised to make unprecedented societal impact.”
The partnership between PolyU and ZEISS Vision Care is expected to create further innovative solutions that will enhance vision preservation and improvement for people around the world.
Dr Viering added: “PolyU and ZEISS have been working closely together for many years. Further research into the understanding and treatment of myopia is of paramount importance and requires intensive cooperation between academia and industry. We are, therefore, very pleased to deepen our cooperation to combat progressive myopia for the benefit of children around the world.”
PolyU will be among the exhibitors at the fourth edition of the Asia Summit on Global Health on 16 and 17 May, a flagship event of International Healthcare Week in Hong Kong.
ASGH brings together senior government officials, influential business leaders, investors, services providers and renowned academia to engage in dialogue on global trends in health innovation and investment facilitate collaboration in the health arena and . A key element of the conference, deal-making, returns with a focus on pharmaceutical, medical devices and digital health, among others..
Deals concluded at ASGH last year included one between the Centre for Eye and Vision Research Limited – a research collaboration between PolyU and University of Waterloo in Canada under the Hong Kong SAR Government’s InnoHK initiative – and US firm Cloudbreak Pharma Incorporated, which signed an MoU to explore innovative solutions for eye health and advance the field of ocular science.