Allotex Inc., an ophthalmic biologics and device company, and 3D-Micromac, a supplier of laser micromachining systems for the photovoltaic, electronics and medical device markets, have entered into a master cooperative agreement.

The two companies will work together to develop and market a laser system for precisely shaping human corneal allografts used to create natural lenses, which can be administered in an outpatient visit.

Made from human collagen, Allotex's natural allograft lenses can be used to treat the most common refractive errors that cause people to need vision correction. To be implanted successfully, the lenses must be produced to exacting dimensions much smaller than the thickness of a human hair. Under the agreement, 3D-Micromac will design, develop and produce a high-precision, compact excimer laser system, exclusively for Allotex, to machine the lenses. Allotex will handle the sales and marketing of the system to ophthalmologists and ophthalmic clinics.

"We have been working with 3D-Micromac for over a year on the initial prototype development," said David Muller, CEO of Allotex. "It was clear from the start that 3D-Micromac has the right technology, experience and approach to make our partnership a success. With this agreement, we have set the stage for what we anticipate will be a highly successful commercial rollout of our mutual technologies."

3D-Micromac will deliver the first prototype, developed in conjunction with Allotex experts, to the Allotex R&D facility in Zurich in early 2017, with a second system slated for delivery to Allotex's commercial facility in Boston. Allotex expects to begin European trials in the second quarter of 2017 and commercial rollout of 3D-Micromac's laser systems and Allotex lenses in early 2018.

"We view Allotex's innovative lens technology as the future of permanent eye correction," said Tino Petsch, CEO of 3D-Micromac. "We look forward to creating a unique success story by combining their potentially life-changing technology with our laser micromachining expertise."

Allotex is a developer of therapeutic solutions to treat presbyopia, hyperopia and myopia. 3-D Micromac develops processes, machinery and systems for the photovoltaic, semiconductor, glass, display, micro-diagnostics and medical industries.