New facility will focus on taking in vitro diagnostics, laboratory automation and molecular biology, as well as digital image processing and microscopy applications, to the next level
Olympus recently opened a new global research and development centre for life science in Munich.
Olympus will invest around euro15m in this project and by 2009 it is expected that 450 people will be employed there.
Helmut Kohler, executive managing director of both Olympus Life Science Europa and Olympus Life Science Research Europa, said: "We are bringing together a highly-qualified team from different fields of specialisation under one roof and are thus creating an interdisciplinary work environment from which all departments will benefit.
"At the same time we will be in a position to fulfil our customers' requirements in the future by offering exceptionally reliable products and services.
Olympus sees itself as a driving force for tomorrow's medicine and clinics.
The close teamwork of highly-qualified personnel from a myriad of specialty fields, creates a unique, knowledge pool that benefits all product lines.
Olympus says it has been very successful in the European life sciences sector.
Over the past four years, growth rates have been averaging 15.8% in microscopy and 10.4% in diagnostics, placing the company as one of the leading companies in both the microscopy and clinical chemistry markets.
Tsuyoshi Kikukawa, president of Olympus, explained: "The life sciences sector at Olympus has experienced continuous growth in recent years and is strategically important to us.
"With our new global research and development centre in Munich we have created the foundation for future sustained grown in this business segment".
