Contact:
Silvana Guerci-Lena, Manager, Public Relations
508-787-1437
sguerci@optos.com
Optos Announces Practice Development Grant Program and Alliance with Cleinman Performance Partners
10/12/2006
MARLBOROUGH, MA, October 12, 2006 – Optos, a leading medical technology company for the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of devices that image the retina, announces an optometric practice grant development program and strategic alliance with Cleinman Performance Partners, a leading business consultancy for optometric practices.
Optos has become a Premier Sponsor of Cleinman Performance Network (CPN), a division of Cleinman Performance Partners, which provides a unique learning and development experience for the owners of optometric practices. Twice per year facilitated groups meet to exchange knowledge and develop new ideas about strategic, management and financial issues pertaining to their practices. At these meetings, Optos will host its Optos Academy XT educational program which provides eye care professionals continuing education on retinal health issues, disease treatment and management, as well as new diagnostic tools and techniques. This educational program, “Trends and Techniques in Retinal Disease Detection and Management,” features key speakers from the optometric community.
“Optos is committed to supporting our Partners with continued professional education and training for successfully implementing the optomap® Retinal Exam into their practices,” said Ian Stevens, General Manager, Optos North America. “We are pleased to work with Cleinman Performance Partners to help us deliver on this goal and ultimately help our Partners integrate the optomap® Retinal Exam deeper into their practice.”
“Cleinman Performance Network is comprised of the leaders of many of the largest optometric practices, representing over 2% of the entire U.S. market,” stated Alan Cleinman, the firm’s CEO. “The majority of our members use the Optomap technology and we are pleased that Optos has chosen to support our mission with their Premier Sponsorship. In addition to supporting our 2007 programs, we are offering a Practice Development Grant program designed to provide qualifying Optos’ Partners with access to our proprietary business development processes.”
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 8.5 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.
Cleinman Performance Partners is North America’s leading business development consultancy for larger optometric practices. The firm’s team of over 30 professionals helps its clients develop their businesses to meet their personal objectives through a variety of proprietary business development services. Founded in 1989, the firm provides custom and group consulting services; leadership development; merger, acquisition and relationship structuring support; staff development services; and research services. The Company’s headquarters is in Oneonta, New York.