Carl Zeiss Group Business Groups. Discover

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1 Carl Zeiss Group Business Groups Discover 46

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3 Carl Zeiss Group Business Groups Discover more: microscopes from Carl Zeiss provide researchers with new insights into the secrets of nature. Innovative microscope systems assist in the tissue-based diagnosis of diseases. This facilitates the discovery of new drugs to combat diseases and helps doctors select a suitable therapy. Microscope systems from Carl Zeiss can be used in many different fields in biology, medicine, pharmacy and chemistry. Systems for industrial materials analysis and instruments which convey the fascination of microscopy to young people complete the product offering. 48

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5 Carl Zeiss Group Business Groups Microscopy Group In fiscal year 2006/07 the Microscopy Group generated revenues totaling EUR 323 million (last year: EUR 340 million). This decline is attributable in particular to the fierce competition in the microscope business, cuts in funding and currency effects. With investments in the further development of the product portfolio und strategic acquisitions, the business group has strengthened its position in preparation for future challenges. In fiscal year 2006/07, the Microscopy Group (Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH) fell short of expectations: revenues decreased by five percent compared to last year. With a total of EUR 332 million, incoming business remained almost stable. Intensive competition in the microscopy market environment was the crucial reason why the microscopy business did not perform as well as expected during the fiscal year: apart from the low level of growth evident on the overall market and the aggressive competitive sceanario, the dependence on public funding and budgets was also a contributory factor, particularly in the field of biomedical research. In the reporting year, reseach budgets were cut in the USA and Japan in particular. Investments in the Future Changes and trends in the microscopy market are making investments necessary. In response to this situation, Carl Zeiss initiated targeted measures during the reporting year: for example, research and development activities have been intensified in order to further develop and expand the microscopy product portfolio in line with the specific needs of the target groups. In fiscal year 2006/07 the business group further expanded its sales structures outside Germany: Carl Zeiss invested in the sales organization in the USA and France in particular; in addition, a new sales organization started operations in Tokyo. One focus of attention here is the setup and expansion of sales activities for the microscope systems used in industrial materials testing. New Business Unit: Clinical Diagnostics With growing life expectancy in the population, the importance of clinical diagnostics is increasing. After the acquisition of the instrument business of Clarient Inc., Aliso Viejo, California (USA), in March 2007, Carl Zeiss is intensifying its commitment to the promising field of clinical cancer diagnostics and research. The ACIS III System developed by Clarient has a leading position in the field of tissue-based cancer diagnosis. It consists of an automated microscope and special software, and saves the microscopic image of a tissue section digitially. Through the automatic quantification of specific cell components which are found in increased amounts if certain diseases are present, the system supports the 50

6 New insights: tissue-based cancer diagnosis assists doctors in selecting the right therapy. doctor in making a diagnosis and in the selection of a suitable therapy. For the distribution of the system, Carl Zeiss is collaborating with the Danish enterprise Dako, an internationally established, leading manufacturer of reagents for tissue-based cancer diagnosis. New Software with Intuitive User Guidance During the year under review the Microscopy Group introduced ZEN, the newly developed software used to operate laser scanning microscopes. The outstanding features of the software specially developed for applications in biomedical research include its individually adjustable user interface and intuitive user guidance (ZEN-Efficient Navigation) which adapts to the customer s personal work routine. ZEN paves the way for a new form of user software for microscopy. ZEN takes into account the personal needs and habits of the user. Extensive tests have shown that ZEN meets, in particular, customer requirements for intuitive user guidance and has a short learning curve. Intuitive: ZEN software facilitates lab work through intuitive user guidance and the personalized user interface. 51

7 Carl Zeiss Group Business Groups The SteREO Lumar.V12 is the only stereo microscope that is sensitive enough to quickly detect and reliably examine cysts on the kidneys of genetically manipulated zebra fish embryos in a stereogram. Dr. Birgit Perner, Scientist in the Molecular Genetics work group at the Institute for Geriatric Research at the Fritz Lippmann Institute in Jena (Germany) New standards: the SteREO Discovery.V20 with a zoom factor of 20 offers maximum precision for materials analysis. Accessories allow the microscope to be adapted to personal requirements. New Standards in Stereomicroscopy The healthy trend in the field of materials analysis continued in the reporting year. In May 2007 the business group introduced the innovative SteREO Discovery. V20 stereo microscope. With its zoom factor of 20, the microscope sets standards in advanced stereomicroscopy. The SteREO Discovery. V20 offers maximum precision: through the use of mobile lenses which are exactly positioned electronically, an excellently corrected microscopic image is obtained over the entire zoom range. Over 30 invention disclosures and patent applications ensure that the technological lead is maintained. A broad spectrum of accessory components allows the microscope to be optimally adapted to the cusotmer s personal requirements. The fields of application of the SteREO Discovery.V20 include research and development departments in industry and quality assurance and high-end production areas. Harvest with Carl Zeiss In the field of spectral sensors the Microscopy Group concluded a collaboration agreement with the world s leading supplier of agricultural, forest and construction machinery John Deere. 52

8 Harvest with Carl Zeiss: the HarvestLab system measures the harvested crop once a second using a near infrared sensor from Carl Zeiss. This makes it possible for agriculturalists to charge their customers on the basis of quality. Together with John Deere, Carl Zeiss has developed the HarvestLab sensor system for process control during the harvest. This globally unique sensor system can be used to determine the dry matter value of the crop being harvested. For the very first time, this makes it possible for farmers to charge their customers on the basis of quality. Carl Zeiss has developed a near infrared sensor for the HarvestLab system which measures the harvested crop once a second. On the basis of the measured results a chaff cutter or combine harvester can always be optimally set to the condition of the harvested crop, therefore increasing the economic efficiency of the harvesting process. Cooperation with Harvard In August 2007, the Microscopy Group signed a licensing agreement with Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts (USA): Carl Zeiss can use the coherent anti-stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy technology developed by the university. CARS makes it possible for the first time to image molecules in living cells and organisms without any need to label them with a dye. This provides biomedical research with a further innovative contrasting technique. Combined with fluorescence microscopy, the technique will contribute to a more in-depth understanding of biological and biochemical processes. The CARS technology can also be used beyond the field of cell biology, e.g. for the development and testing of new active ingredients in the pharmaceutical industry, or for medical diagnostics. Carl Zeiss plans to use the technology in its confocal and multi-photon microscopes. Reorganization of Business Units The Carl Zeiss Microscopy Group started the new fiscal year with a new organizational structure. The 100 percent subsidary, P.A.L.M. Microlaser Technologies GmbH, Bernried (Germany), has been merged with Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH and now operates under the ZEISS umbrella brand. Furthermore, all future activities of the Microscopy Group are bundled into the BioSiences, Clinical and Industrial strategic business units and will be optimally adapted to the different customer requirements. 53