Microsoft Eyes Eyes

Microsoft, the global software and technology giant, has dabbled in the AI-Biotech sector over the last few years, specifically with filings related to the cardiovascular system and activity tracking. Now, we are seeing something different. The company was just issued its first patent relating to ophthalmology and personalized surgery recommendations for eye patients. Microsoft also has a pending application describing methods of forecasting progression of eye conditions.

This week, Microsoft and pharmaceutical giant Novartis announced a five year partnership centered around Microsoft’s AI capabilities. They hope that AI will help make better sense of data Novartis generates in experiments, clinical trials, and the manufacturing process. Other than cancer research, the first focus of the partnership is on personalizing treatment for age-related macular degeneration, where AI will be used to scan images of patient eyes, hunting for patterns that may lead to more personalized medicine. According to the NIH, in 2010 there were 2.07 million American’s with some level of age-related macular degeneration, and this level is expected to grow as the population ages.