Microscopy systems maker Leica Microsystems will acquire Bioptigen

Microscopy and imaging systems manufacturer Leica Microsystems (Wetzlar, Germany) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology developer and maker Bioptigen (Morrisville, NC) to strengthen its position in the ophthalmology market. Integrating OCT imaging into Leica Microsystems' surgical microscopes will assist ophthalmologists during eye surgery.

Bioptigen develops and manufactures OCT systems and software, with products for clinical as well as translational research applications. Using low-power, near-infrared (NIR) light, the OCT systems generate high-resolution, volumetric images of the eye. The company currently markets the FDA-cleared and CE-marked Envisu C2300 OCT for handheld, pediatric, and perioperative applications, and sells advanced ophthalmic OCT imaging systems for preclinical research globally.

OCT utilizes interferometry to create cross-sectional views of different types of tissue. This noninvasive technique is used to detect and monitor morphological changes of ocular tissue, particularly retinal layer thickness, which can give insight into pathological conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), or diabetic retinopathy.

For more information, please visit www.leica-microsystems.com.

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