Olympus 2007 Annual Report Download - page 10

Life Science Business:
Pursuing Long-Term Growth
in Next-Generation Healthcare
> On the back of strong overseas sales, Olympus
> On the back of strong overseas sales, Olympus
achieved increased sales and profits in its Life
achieved increased sales and profits in its Life
Science Business in fiscal 2007. The Life Science
Science Business in fiscal 2007. The Life Science
Business endeavors to contribute to the realization
Business endeavors to contribute to the realization
of personalized medicine and next-generation inno-
of personalized medicine and next-generation inno-
vations in healthcare. In pursuit of these goals, our
vations in healthcare. In pursuit of these goals, our
initiatives are centered on translational research
initiatives are centered on translational research
that functions as a bridge between basic research,
that functions as a bridge between basic research,
such as clarification of life processes and genetic
such as clarification of life processes and genetic
analysis, and research for clinical applications such
analysis, and research for clinical applications such
as biochemical analysis and blood testing.
as biochemical analysis and blood testing.
Our activities in the micro-imaging field include
Our activities in the micro-imaging field include
b i o l o g i c a l a n d i n d u s t r i a l - u s e m i c r o s c o p e s .
biological and industrial-use microscopes.
Recognized for their technological edge amid vig-
Recognized for their technological edge amid vig-
orous research activities in the fields of genetic
orous research activities in the fields of genetic
di a g nosis, gene therap y and drug disco v e r y,
diagnosis, gene therapy and drug discovery,
Olympus’ biological microscopes have become an
Olympus’ biological microscopes have become an
established and stable source of revenues. In addi-
established and stable source of revenues. In addi-
tion to its microscopes for observation of cells and
tion to its microscopes for observation of cells and
clarification of their functions, Olympus plans to
clarification of their functions, Olympus plans to
develop its vivo imaging systems into core products.
develop its vivo imaging systems into core products.
These systems, which were first released in 2006,
These systems, which were first released in 2006,
are designed for clarification of the initial develop-
are designed for clarification of the initial develop-
ment of cancer, the mechanisms by which cancer
ment of cancer, the mechanisms by which cancer
spreads and the efficacy of anti-cancer medicines.
spreads and the efficacy of anti-cancer medicines.
In industrial microscopes, sales of inspection micro-
In industrial microscopes, sales of inspection micro-
scopes for use in the manufacture of semiconductors
scopes for use in the manufacture of semiconductors
and LCD panels are growing in line with expansion
and LCD panels are growing in line with expansion
of demand in Asia.
of demand in Asia.
In diagnostic systems such as automated chem-
In diagnostic systems such as automated chem-
istry analyzers, Olympus entered the immunoassay
istry analyzers, Olympus entered the immunoassay
field. Although this is a new area for Olympus, we
field. Although this is a new area for Olympus, we
aim to open markets by taking a new approach
aim to open markets by taking a new approach
to the field and incorporating our expertise in
to the field and incorporating our expertise in
Aiming to assist in the early detection and treat-
Aiming to assist in the early detection and treat-
ment of cancer and other minute lesions, in fiscal
ment of cancer and other minute lesions, in fiscal
2007, Olympus introduced several products that
2007, Olympus introduced several products that
apply imaging functions using specific light spec-
apply imaging functions using specific light spec-
tra. These were well received in the market. In
tra. These were well received in the market. In
Europe, North America and Japan, we released
Europe, North America and Japan, we released
high-definition endoscopic systems incorporating
high-definition endoscopic systems incorporating
imaging functions using specific light spectra such
imaging functions using specific light spectra such
as Narrow Band Imaging (NBI™) aiming to assist
as Narrow Band Imaging (NBI™) aiming to assist
physicians for more accurate diagnoses. While
physicians for more accurate diagnoses. While
expanding our lineup of surgical endoscopes and
expanding our lineup of surgical endoscopes and
other equipment incorporating NBI, we also plan to
other equipment incorporating NBI, we also plan to
forge ahead with product launches in Asia, where
forge ahead with product launches in Asia, where
we anticipate significant market growth.
we anticipate significant market growth.
After launching the sale of capsule endoscopes
After launching the sale of capsule endoscopes
in Europe in 2005, Olympus plans to commence
in Europe in 2005, Olympus plans to commence
sales in North America and Japan as soon as legal
sales in North America and Japan as soon as legal
processes are completed. We expect this to support
processes are completed. We expect this to support
minimally invasive diagnosis in the area of the small
minimally invasive diagnosis in the area of the small
bowel, historically a difficult area to examine.
bowel, historically a difficult area to examine.
We will continue to build a stable earnings plat-
We will continue to build a stable earnings plat-
form in the Medical Systems Business by empha-
form in the Medical Systems Business by empha-
sizing secure, safe and highly efficient medical
sizing secure, safe and highly efficient medical
procedures related to our entire product and service
procedures related to our entire product and service
lineup of gastroenterological endoscopes, surgical
lineup of gastroenterological endoscopes, surgical
endoscopes and endotherapy products.
endoscopes and endotherapy products.
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