Collaboration between Alcon and RxSight

Alcon and RxSight, Inc., an ophthalmic medical device company focused on providing high-quality customized vision to patients following cataract surgery, have announced a non-exclusive collaboration to jointly develop adjustable presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses (PCIOLs). As part of the agreement, RxSight will receive a $60 million upfront payment to begin development and could receive up to an additional $140 million in payments as development and regulatory milestones are met, the announcement stated.

“Under the collaboration, the companies will be innovating on their respective platforms—RxSight’s post-operative light-adjustable technology and Alcon’s PCIOL optical designs—and combining them to create a co-developed technology that enables surgeons to fine-tune visual outcomes for their cataract patients who choose a PCIOL,” the announcement stated.

Further, as part of the agreement, Alcon will lead global commercialization, while RxSight will be responsible for development and manufacturing and receive royalties on net sales, the companies advised.

“Our leading PCIOLs have helped millions of patients reduce or eliminate the need for glasses after cataract surgery,” said David J. Endicott, chief executive officer of Alcon. “Together with RxSight’s technology, we have the opportunity to develop tunable PCIOLs, giving surgeons even greater confidence to refine outcomes after surgery.”

“We are excited to work with Alcon to provide patients greater access to outcomes customized to their needs after surgery,” said Ron Kurtz, president and chief executive officer of RxSight. “This collaboration underscores our belief in the importance of adjustability and will help accelerate its expansion across a wider base of patients.”