Optos and Vision Source Extend Partnership into Canada
26.07.2006
MARLBOROUGH, MA, July 26, 2006 – Optos is pleased to announce it has signed a co-marketing agreement with Vision Source that will extend their working relationship into Canada.
“We look forward to working with Vision Source on their expansion into the Canadian market and in working together to grow our respective customer bases,” said Ian Stevens, general manager, Optos North America. “The optomap® Retinal Exam is an integral component of primary eye care and the combination of this great technology and the resources and services of Vision Source, provides an attractive offer for Canadian Doctors.”
While Optos has been marketing its optomap® Retinal Exam in Canada since 2002 and currently has over 100 Partners, Vision Source is entering the Canadian market for the first time. As part of its agreement with Vision Source, Optos will support their introduction through contract incentives and other initiatives for Vision Source members as well as its current Canadian Partners.
“Canada represents an important opportunity for Vision Source and with our partnership with Optos we hope to accelerate our success,” said Glenn Ellisor, president, Vision Source. “We think that the Vision Source model, along with our unique partnership with Optos, will bring unprecedented benefits to the independent optometrists of Canada.”
Note to Editors
Optos plc is a leading and rapidly growing medical technology company for the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of devices that image the retina, the light-sensitive area at the back of the eye. Optos' platform technology is the Panoramic200 Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope device - known as the P200. In a quarter of a second the P200 device produces a high resolution image of up to 200 degrees or approximately 82 percent of the retina in a single capture. The image - branded the optomap® Retinal Exam - provides eye care practitioners with clinically useful information that facilitates the early detection of disorders and diseases evidenced in the retina, such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
The Company has recently gained regulatory clearance (CE and FDA 510(k)) to market a second device - P200MA. The P200MA is aimed at the specialist ophthalmic and medical as opposed to the primary care market. It is designed to produce an angiographic retinal image called optomap® fa that supports medical procedures by providing enhanced diagnostic, monitoring and treatment capabilities. Retinal imaging can also indicate evidence of non-eye or systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and certain cancers. Optos’ technology provides an unequalled combination of wide-field retinal imaging, speed and convenience for both practitioner and patient and can help save sight and save lives.
Optos estimates that its P200 device is targeting a recurring US$2 billion market opportunity. Approximately 8.0 million optomap® Retinal Exams have been conducted in the Company’s existing markets, currently the US, Canada, UK and Germany, to date. Optos had revenues of US$48.4 million in 2005, its last full financial year and as at 31 March 2006 had approximately 220 employees serving more than 2,250 customers. Optos plc is headquartered in Dunfermline, Scotland and was admitted to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange on 15 February 2006 trading under the symbol OPTS.