This proof of concept (PoC) project (acronym: ContactLube) was concerned with extending the recent discovery in the PI’s group of hydration lubrication – which is also the topic of the main ERC project with which this PoC is associated – to improved contact lens lubrication, based on liposomes together with polymers as lubricants. Several aspects of these aims were advanced as part of this project in its several workpackages. These included a pre-commercialization study, and activities aimed at identifying potential partners, networking, disseminating of information concerning the innovation, and identifying and meeting with potential customers and investors. The heart of the project was the proof of concept itself, which was successfully carried out and resulted in a wide-ranging patent application (‘SURFACE TREATMENT OF CONTACT LENS AND TREATMENT OF OCULAR DISCOMFORT BY WATER-SOLUBLE POLYMERS AND LIPIDS/LIPOSOMES’). The data collected is being used to refine a business model, and contact with several major contact lens companies has been made. Success of this should have broad economic as well as societal benefits: on the one hand in creating new technologies based on the IP associated with this project, and on the other hand in alleviation of a contact lens discompfort which is a widespread problem, through application of these new technologies.
