Carl Zeiss
Microscopy GmbH and Olympus America Inc. CENTER VALLEY, Pa. have signed a
nonexclusive worldwide licensing agreement allowing Carl Zeiss to access an
extensive portfolio of patents held by Olympus in the field of digital
pathology and virtual microscopy. The patents included in the licensing deal
cover methods and equipment for creating, storing and delivering virtual
microscopy slides. The technology enables individuals to view and share
high-resolution virtual microscopy images over the Internet.
"The handling
of digital data has become a major driver of the development of modern
microscopy," said Dr. Bernhard Ohnesorge, Member of the Board and General
Manager BioSciences Division of Carl Zeiss Microscopy, "Integrating the virtual
slide functionality into our research microscope systems will enable our
customers to become more efficient and to explore new scientific approaches.
This will help them to better understand the root causes of the most
challenging diseases."
"Global
adoption of digital slide scanning continues to expand into new medical and
scientific applications," said Brad Burklow, Executive Director Business
Development, Scientific Equipment Group, Olympus Corporation of the Americas.
"Olympus is the holder of many important patents in this area, and we feel it
is vital to allow broad access to these technologies in order to advance the
field of pathology and medical research. We are confident that leveraging these
technologies will enhance healthcare for patients around the world."
The
companies are not making specific terms and conditions of the agreement public.
About Olympus
America Inc., Scientific Equipment Group
Olympus America
Scientific Equipment Group provides innovative microscope imaging solutions for
researchers, doctors, clinicians and educators. Olympus microscope systems
offer unsurpassed optics, superior construction and system versatility to meet
the ever-changing needs of microscopists, paving the way for future advances in
life science.
About Olympus
Olympus is a
precision technology leader, designing and delivering innovative solutions in
its core business areas: Medical and Surgical Products, Life Science Imaging
Systems, Industrial Measurement and Imaging Instruments and Cameras and Audio
Products. Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and affiliates
worldwide to leverage R&D investment in precision technology and
manufacturing processes across diverse business lines. These include:
-
Gastrointestinal
endoscopes, accessories, and minimally invasive surgical products;
- Advanced research,
clinical and educational microscopes and research and educational digital
imaging systems;
- Industrial
research, engineering, test, inspection and measuring instruments; and
- Digital cameras and
voice recorders.
Olympus serves the healthcare field with integrated product solutions
and financial, educational and consulting services that help customers to
efficiently, reliably and more easily achieve exceptional results. Olympus
develops breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and
functionality for the consumer and professional photography markets, and also
is the leader in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational
microscopes.
About Carl Zeiss
The Carl Zeiss Group is an international leader in
the fields of optics and optoelectronics. In fiscal year 2010/11 the company's
approx. 24,000 employees generated revenue of about 4.237 billion euros. In
the markets for Industrial Solutions, Research Solutions, Medical Technology
and Consumer Optics, Carl Zeiss has contributed to technological progress all
over the world for more than 160 years. With its innovative technologies and
leading-edge solutions, Carl Zeiss is successful in the fields of Semiconductor
Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Metrology, Microscopy, Medical Technology,
Vision Care and Consumer Optics/Optronics. Carl Zeiss AG is fully owned by the
Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).
Microscopy
The Microscopy business group
at Carl Zeiss is the world's only manufacturer of both light and electron
microscopes. The company's extensive portfolio
enables research and routine applications in the life and materials sciences. The
product range includes light and laser scanning microscopes, electron and ion
microscopes and spectrometer modules. Users are
supported for software for system control, image capture and editing. The
Microscopy business group has sales companies in 33 countries. Application
and service specialists support customers around the globe in demo centers and
on site. The business group is headquartered in Jena.
Additional production and development sites can be found in Oberkochen,
Göttingen and Munich, as well as in the UK and the USA.The company has around
2,500 employees and generates revenue of 620 million
euros.