Carl Zeiss MicroImaging has acquired the equipment business of the US company Clarient and is therefore strengthening its commitment in the field of clinical cancer diagnostics and cancer research
With growing life expectation in the population, the subject of cancer, its diagnosis and treatment is now playing an increasingly important role.
The joint use of microscopic techniques and molecular-biological methods is increasing.
In every diagnosis of breast cancer, for example, it is now possible to determine the aggressiveness of the tumour and the most suitable therapy.
Clarient's systems save the microscopic image of a tissue section in a digital form.
They also support the doctor in the diagnostic process by automatically quantifying novel markers known as biomarkers - specific cell components (usually proteins) which are found in increased amounts in the blood if a disease (eg, cancer) is present.
In addition, the doctor can discuss the digitised image with colleagues via the internet and therefore obtain a second opinion about the diagnosis.
The Acis III system from Clarient consists of an automated microscope and a computer featuring special image evaluation software.
In the specialist medical community, these systems are currently seen as the gold standard for tissue-based cancer diagnosis.
The company acquired by Carl Zeiss MicroImaging will remain in its Aliso Viejo location near Los Angeles and will be integrated into the clinical microscopy activities which are headquartered in Jena in Germany.
"With the acquisition, Carl Zeiss MicroImaging is once again underscoring its strategy of actively investing in innovative technologies and consistently driving forward its ongoing growth," comments president and CEO Ulrich Simon.
In the marketing of the clinical version of the system, Carl Zeiss MicroImaging is collaborating with the Danish diagnostics company Dako, the leading manufacturer of reagents for tissue-based cancer diagnosis.
Dako has an excellent reputation in pathology - an ideal foundation for the Carl Zeiss Microscopy Group to achieve a stronger presence in the clinical diagnostics market, says the company.
