Key markets for Optiscan’s miniaturised confocal microscopes are medical endoscopes and laboratory research.
The two major medical markets being targeted for use of our technology are:
Both these markets exhibit high growth rates. Growth is being driven by doctors increasingly using endoscopes to achieve superior health outcomes for patients undergoing diagnostic screening and surgical procedures.
The specialist sales forces of companies that manufacture endoscopes are the main means of selling them. Dedicated specialist distributors are also involved in some countries.
Incorporating Optiscan’s unique miniaturised confocal microscope technology into endoscopes enables doctors to obtain high resolution cellular level images from the surface and sub-surface of tissue. These images are in essence a digital histology capable of assisting the doctor with diagnosis of disease. The key advantages of this approach in medicine are:
Optiscan’s strategy is to collaborate with established market partners that have strong sales and marketing infrastructure and capabilities in their chosen product market.
In medical device markets new technologies are one of the few things that have the capability to significantly move market share of participants. Optiscan’s break through level of magnification creates significant opportunity for its partners to grow their business.
Confocal microscopes are commonly used in life science research laboratories around the world. They have established a unique niche as an imaging tool in research applications with their ability to image intact tissue specimens.
Researchers commonly use confocal laser scanning microscopes to provide high magnification, high resolution images of cellular level processes occurring in living cells grown in an appropriate culture. A range of different contrast agents is used to differentiate specific cellular structures and specific chemical or drug types.
The market for laboratory research confocal microscopes is estimated to be worth US$375Mpa.
Advances in product features that enable researchers to perform new types of research primarily determine market growth rates.
The addition of miniaturised scanners to existing microscopes will enable researchers to examine the cellular processes as they occur in live animals, thus extending their research.
Miniaturised scanners thus have the potential to grow the market share of an existing manufacturer in this industry.
