Olympus Signs Licensing Agreements with Omnyx

Olympus America Inc. (Center Valley, PA, USA) has signed a nonexclusive worldwide licensing agreement with Omnyx, LLC, (Pittsburgh, PA; and Piscataway, NJ, USA)--a joint venture of GE Healthcare (Fairfield, CT, USA) and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC; Pittsburgh, USA).

The agreement permits Omnyx to access the extensive portfolio of Olympus America patents in the field of virtual microscopy and digital pathology. The patents involved in the licensing agreement cover software and technology related to creating, storing, and delivering virtual microscopy images. The specific terms and conditions of the agreement are not being made public by the two companies.

Virtual microscope slides enable professionals to review biopsies and other pathology images without handling traditional glass slides, and allow doctors to share high-resolution digital microscope images over the Internet for remote pathology consultation.

The technology also has the potential to aid hospitals in moving to comprehensive patient Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems--a transition that has already started in some areas of the world.

According to a 2010 report published by Laboratory Economics, US$13.2 billion was spent in anatomic pathology testing in the United States during 2008. The patented technologies will help deliver valuable images to doctors, streamline the review process, improve speed of reporting, save substantial expense, and enhance patient care.

Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and affiliates worldwide to leverage Research and Development (R&D) investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines. These include advanced clinical, research, and educational microscopes and clinical digital imaging systems.

Related Links:
Olympus America Inc.
Omnyx, LLC
GE Healthcare
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center