SINGAPORE, July 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V: ZMS; OTCPK: ZMSPF; Frankfurt: W1I), a developer of leading-edge photonics technologies for medical, industrial and scientific markets, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Zecotek Imaging Systems Pte. Ltd. has signed a joint collaboration partnership agreement with Hamamatsu Photonics (Tokyo: 6965) of Japan to commercialize existing imaging technologies and to collaborate on the upgrade and manufacture of photo detectors, integrated detector modules (IDM) and associated electronics and data acquisition modules for the imaging markets at large. With approximately US$1 billion of annual sales Hamamatsu is the world's leading supplier of optoelectronics components including photo multiplier tubes and photo-diodes used in positron emission tomography (PET) medical scanners, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) projects and other industrial and scientific applications.
"This agreement represents a pivotal and historic event for Zecotek. With Hamamatsu's strong technological, manufacturing and commercial expertise, our two companies will have the capacity to provide substantial value to the medical imaging and high energy physics industries," said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek Photonics Inc. "Hamamatsu is the world leading developer and supplier of optoelectronics components to PET (Positron Emission Tomography) medical scanner OEM's and manufacturers, to the bio-medical industries, as well as to CERN with whom they have a very close and long term relationship. By combining our efforts, we can accelerate the commercialization of Zecotek's imaging technologies for the medical, industrial and research applications. I have full confidence in the ability of Hamamatsu's management and technical team to create key value in this very welcomed relationship."
"We are very pleased to join forces and provide added value to Zecotek's imaging technologies," said Mr. Koei Yamamoto General Managing Director, Hamamatsu Photonics. "We will use our well established R&D, technological and manufacturing expertise to strengthen Zecotek's existing technological results and products. We believe this to be a powerful and symbiotic relationship."
The agreement combines the strengths of both organizations into a collaborative program, whereby Zecotek's patented and patent pending imaging technologies can benefit from the technological expertise and marketing capabilities of Hamamatsu. Hamamatsu will take over the manufacturing and marketing of most of Zecotek's proprietary imaging technologies, including the commercialization of LFS crystals, solid-state MAPD photo detectors and any other photo-detector variants innovated by Zecotek. Hamamatsu becomes the exclusive sales channel for Zecotek' patented protected LFS scintillation crystal and future generations of the scintillation material. Hamamatsu will take the lead on the technological enhancement, large-scale manufacturing and marketing of all Zecotek's imaging technologies.
Zecotek and Hamamatsu will establish a joint program to improve existing versions of photo-detectors and imaging modules, for immediate commercialization and develop new innovative ones for future markets. Both parties will retain full ownership to all their respective patents and intellectual property brought into the collaboration. The manufacturing and commercialization of existing and new technologies will be performed by Hamamatsu.
Zecotek Imaging Systems has research laboratory facilities in Singapore and Russia. The market adoption of its imaging technologies is advancing and the Zecotek wholly owned subsidiary has established close working partnerships with the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland, NuCare Medical Systems in South Korea and University of Washington in Seattle.
Hamamatsu Photonics is a world-leading developer and manufacturer of opto-electronic components and systems and employs over 4000 staff worldwide. For more than 50 years it has been bringing innovative, state-of-the art optoelectronic components and systems to the global market. With production facilities, business locations and associated companies throughout Asia, Europe and North America, it is a world-leading manufacturer of products that are designed to cover the entire optical spectrum and are the optimum solution for a wide variety of applications such as analytical instruments, medical diagnostics, biotechnology, consumer electronics and industrial control.
About Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. (Japan) is a leading manufacturer of devices for the generation and measurement of infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. These devices include photomultiplier tubes, scientific light sources, opto-semiconductors, cameras, and specialized imaging systems. Hamamatsu Photonics is dedicated to the advancement of photonics through extensive research. This corporate philosophy results in state-of-the-art products which are used throughout the world in scientific, industrial, and commercial applications.
About Zecotek
Zecotek Photonics Inc (TSX-V: ZMS; Frankfurt: W1I) is a photonics technology company developing high-performance scintillation crystals, photo detectors, positron emission tomography scanning technologies, 3D auto-stereoscopic displays, and lasers for applications in medical, high-tech and industrial sectors. Founded in 2004, Zecotek operates three divisions: Imaging Systems, Laser Systems and 3D Display Systems with labs located in Canada, Korea, Russia, Singapore and U.S.A. The management team is focused on building shareholder value by commercializing over 50 patented and patent pending novel photonic technologies directly and through strategic alliances and joint ventures with leading industry partners such as Hamamatsu Photonics (Japan), the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Switzerland), Beijing Opto-Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. (China), NuCare Medical Systems (South Korea), and National NanoFab Center (South Korea). For more information visit www.zecotek.com, follow @zecotek on Twitter and "like" us in Facebook at www.facebook.com/zecotek.
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For further information:
Zecotek Photonics Inc.
Michael Minder
T: +1 (604) 783-8291
ir@zecotek.com
