Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Vision has appointed accomplished ophthalmologist Dr Rajesh Rajpal as its new chief medical officer and global head of clinical and medical affairs. Read more
ACCC launches probe into Ellex-Lumibird deal
The Australian competition authority is examining Ellex Medical Lasers’s proposed $100 million sale of its laser and ultrasound business to Lumibird to consider its impact on market competition and the pricing of related ophthalmic devices. Read more
Cyber security: Aussie health system lags behind global counterparts
A new report has found that Australia’s healthcare sector is ill-equipped to fend off cyberattacks compared with other regions, and that ransomware attacks are on the rise as a result of vulnerabilities caused by the global COVID-19 crisis. Read more
Aussie OCT co-founder among country’s most distinguished scientists
Dr Simon Poole, a co-founder of Melbourne OCT company Cylite and entrepreneur in photonics, has been elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, joining an elite class of the nation’s scientists. Read more
Drug developer hits major milestone with Lucentis biosimilar
A biopharmaceutical company that is developing cheaper anti-VEGF treatments for major global markets, including Australia, has reported positive results from a Phase 3 clinical trial for its Lucentis biosimilar. Read more
Opticians feature on Britain’s 2020 Rich List
Specsavers founders Mr Doug and Dame Mary Perkins have featured in Britain’s 2020 Rich List, alongside an optical businessman who sold his contact lens company to CooperVision for more than AU$1 billion. Read more
Relief as Optometry Australia issues service provision update
Optometry practices that were mothballed or reduced to urgent care at the peak of the COVID-19 emergency are returning to provide the full suite of services this week, following updated guidance from Optometry Australia (OA). Read more
OA members granted access to ProVision supplier database
ProVision is allowing Optometry Australia-member independent practices access to the country’s largest frames database, ProSupply, which contains product availability information updated every 24 hours. Read more
Novartis acquires gaming tech for ‘lazy eye’
Novartis is collaborating with video game developers and academics to develop digital technology to treat amblyopia following its completed acquisition of US-based software startup, Amblyotech. Read more
Positive results for Australian company testing peptide to target glaucoma
Perth pharmaceutical company NeuroScientific Biopharmaceuticals (NSB) has announced its lead drug candidate slowed glaucoma-induced damage to the optic nerve, in findings that highlight its potential as a clinically useful treatment. Read more