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Olympus Appoints New CEO

Names Bob White Representative Executive Officer, President, Chief Executive Officer and a new Director candidate

Olympus Corporation (Olympus), a global MedTech company committed to making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, today announces the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) aimed at accelerating its ongoing transformation efforts in the medtech space.

The Board of Directors has decided unanimously to appoint Bob White, a former Executive Vice President and President, Medical Surgical Portfolio for Medtronic, as a successor to Yasuo Takeuchi, Olympus’ Director, Representative Executive Officer, President and CEO, effective June 1, 2025. Bob will also be proposed as a candidate for election to the Board at Olympus’ General Meeting of Shareholders scheduled to be held in June 2025.

“We are pleased to name Bob to this pivotal leadership role. He possesses a wealth of experience garnered from his tenure at various esteemed organizations within the medical technology sector. I look forward to welcoming him as a leader who will bring extensive knowledge and expertise to the company.” said Yasuo Takeuchi. “Over the course of his career, Bob has demonstrated exceptional leadership in driving both transformative growth and strategic initiatives. I am truly pleased that he is bringing this profound expertise and insight to Olympus.”

Comment from Bob White
“I am truly honored and grateful for the trust placed in me by the Board of Directors and the Nominating Committee. Olympus is an exceptional company, known for its market-leading solutions, cutting-edge technology, and remarkable people. I’m excited to bring my experience to the table and contribute to the company’s ongoing success and growth. I’ve long admired Olympus for its rich Japanese heritage, outstanding products, and unwavering commitment to serving the needs of both clinicians and patients.”

Bob most recently served as Executive Vice President and President, Medical Surgical Portfolio for Medtronic until April 2024. Before then, he was Senior Vice President and President of Medtronic Asia Pacific, based in Singapore where he had responsibility for APAC as well as Japan. During his tenure at Covidien, he held the positions of President of Emerging Markets and President of Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions. He has seen numerous innovation programs and led several R&D initiatives and M&A transactions within complex business portfolios. His close engagement with the market and customers has enabled him to maintain a strong understanding of physician needs.

Prior to joining Medtronic, Bob held leadership positions at GE Healthcare, Merge Healthcare and Healthcare Division, IBM. Throughout his career in the medtech industry, he has played a pivotal role in improving the lives of patients around the world through the transformation of healthcare delivery.

In order to select and recommend the best candidate for the next CEO, the Nominating Committee engaged a leading executive search firm and formed an Advisory Search Committee in November 2024. After a comprehensive and rigorous search process, Olympus determined that Bob is the ideal leader among a strong pool of internal and external candidates. Bob possesses the skill set necessary to guide the next phase of Olympus’ transformation, including quality and regulatory initiatives.

Bob holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Cleveland State University and an MBA in finance from Case Western Reserve University, USA. He currently resides in Colorado and will be located in Olympus global headquarters in Tokyo, with his wife.

About Olympus

At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide innovative solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit https://www.olympus-global.com/ and follow our global X account: @Olympus_Corp.

Media contact:
Mail: Global-Public_Relations@olympus.com

Olympus Corp [TYO: 7733] [ADR: OLYMY] [STU: OLY1] [FRA: OLYS] https://www.olympus-global.com

A Decade of Olympus India’s Commitment to Community Welfare

Benefiting 7,000 Children Across 30 Schools with its CSR Initiatives

Olympus Medical Systems India Pvt. Ltd. (OMSI), an Olympus Group company, today announces the successful inauguration of newly constructed washrooms at eight government schools across major locations in India. This milestone is part of OMSI’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Program. By actively supporting community well-being and education through long-standing projects, OMSI and Olympus Corporation (Olympus), remain dedicated to supporting the next-generation education in India.

Inauguration Ceremony at Government Middle School, Aklimpur, in Sohna Block of Gurugram District of Haryana, India

The WASH Program, a decade-long CSR project by OMSI, focuses on enhancing school infrastructure by constructing and renovating washrooms to ensure that students—especially girls—have access to clean and safe sanitation facilities. This initiative addresses critical challenges in sanitation, hygiene, and child health that directly impact education. Several reports highlight that one in four girls in India drop out of school due to inadequate toilet facilities, underscoring the vital importance of this initiative for promoting gender equality and educational continuity.

Over its fiscal year which ended in March 2025, the 10th year since the program began, OMSI constructed washrooms in eight government schools across four major locations—Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai. —This initiative provides improved sanitation facilities for over 2,700 students and ensures better hygiene standards for the school communities. The inauguration for these schools took place in March 2025, attended by OMSI leaders, school headmasters, and other officials. Over the past decade, the company has contributed to creating hygienic learning environments for approximately 7,000 students across 30 schools through this program.

Nutrition kits handed over by Naoshi Kikumoto,MD, OMSI

Additionally, OMSI’s Olympus Arogya Bachpan (Disease-Free Childhood) Program, provided health check-ups, distributed nutrition kits, and held awareness sessions on essential topics such as personal hygiene and safety for approximately 450 students across two schools. This program, initiated in 2018, aims to improve student well-being through hygiene education, child safety awareness, and health check-ups, helping to combat malnutrition and instill lifelong healthy habits.

Since its establishment in 2009, OMSI has remained committed to enhancing health, hygiene, and awareness through these activities, positively impacting thousands of children across India and enabling them to pursue their education in a safe and hygienic environment.
“We at Olympus believe that every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy and to receive a quality education. Through our CSR programs, we are proud to contribute to a brighter, healthier future for children and communities across India,” said Naoshi Kikumoto, Managing Director, OMSI.

Together with Olympus, OMSI will continue advancing global corporate citizenship to make people’s lives healthier, safer, and more fulfilling across India and beyond.

Olympus’ Other CSR activities in India:
Beyond its ongoing efforts in areas of hygiene and sanitation, OMSI also played a crucial role in supporting India’s healthcare infrastructure. In its fiscal year which ended in March 2025, the company supported the Saairaam Cancer Foundation in Salem, Tamil Nadu, and JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research), Pondicherry, by donating a Laparoscopic System and contributing to ENT (ear, nose and throat) cancer screening initiatives, respectively. These efforts aim to enhance cancer awareness, early detection, and treatment in underserved regions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, in its fiscal year ended in March 2021 and 2022, OMSI supported Civil Hospital Gurgaon, with Antigen Test Kits, Viral Transport Medium Kits, canopy tents for testing camps, and rental vehicles for transporting samples and lab technicians. The company also donated a fully equipped ambulance, solar lights and other essentials to support the Earth Saviours Foundation. Furthermore, OMSI focused on strengthening infrastructure at Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in remote areas across the country. It also provided basic sanitation facilities at government hospitals in severely affected regions lacking such services.

About Olympus
At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide innovative solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit https://www.olympus-global.com/ and follow our global X account: @Olympus_Corp . Also visit LinkedIn page of OMSI.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Sanjana Grover
Olympus Medical Systems India Pvt Ltd
sanjana.grover@olympus.com
https://www.olympus.in/

Public Relations Group
Olympus Corporation
Global-Public_Relations@olympus.com
https://www.olympus-global.com/

Olympus Corp [TYO: 7733] [ADR: OLYMY] [STU: OLY1] [FRA: OLYS] https://www.olympus-global.com

Olympus Recognized on CDP’s “A List”, the Highest Rating in the Field of Climate Change

Olympus Corporation (Olympus), a global MedTech company committed to making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, today announced it has been recognized by CDP¹, an international environmental non-profit organization, as an “A List” company for fiscal year 2024. The A List rating is awarded to companies that demonstrate excellence in setting climate change-related targets and initiatives.

CDP evaluates major corporations and institutions around the world based on their responses to questions on climate change measures, water resource management, and environmental issues. In this year’s assessment, approximately 24,800 companies participated globally, including more than 2,100 Japanese companies.

As part of its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy, Olympus has designated “Carbon Neutral Society and Circular Economy” as a focal area. To contribute to the realization of a decarbonized future, Olympus established a target in May 2023 to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its supply chain by 2040. In November 2023, Olympus received a net-zero² certification from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)³, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.

In addition, Olympus is accelerating its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving manufacturing processes, promoting energy-saving measures, and phasing power consumption at its facilities to renewable energy sources. Recognizing the importance of reducing the environmental impact across its entire supply chain, Olympus is working continuously to develop environmentally friendly products, enhance logistics efficiency, and set emission reduction targets in collaboration with suppliers. These initiatives support both the company’s sustainability goals and the broader global effort toward decarbonization.

For further details on Olympus’ sustainability initiatives, please visit the Sustainability page.

Comment from Yasuo Takeuchi, Olympus Director, Representative Executive Officer, and Executive Chairman and ESG Officer
“At Olympus, ESG principles are embedded in our corporate strategy as we work toward the realization of Our Purpose of making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. Our recognition on CDP’s A list reflects our commitment to climate action and transparent environmental disclosure. We believe that contributing to the sustainable development and progress of the globe and society based on our founding spirit, by putting Our Purpose into practice, will allow Olympus itself to achieve sustainable growth and value creation.”

¹: CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions. Founded in 2000, CDP pioneered using capital markets and corporate procurement to motivate companies to disclose their environmental impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests. Fully TCFD aligned, CDP holds the largest environmental database in the world, and CDP scores are widely used to drive investment and procurement decisions towards a zero carbon, sustainable and resilient economy.

²: Net zero refers to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3*) by at least 90% in line with the latest climate science (1.5°C scenario). Remaining emissions (less than 10%) must be offset using equivalent credits derived from carbon sequestration and removal (such as afforestation and CO2 capture and storage) to achieve balance.
*Scope 1: Direct greenhouse gas emissions by combustion of fuels in our sites.
Scope 2: Indirect greenhouse gas emissions from our sites use of electricity, heat or steam supplied by other companies.
Scope 3: Other, indirect emissions of greenhouse gas emissions (excluding Scope 1 and 2).

³: SBTi is an international initiative jointly established by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), CDP, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the UN Global Compact. The initiative encourages companies to set science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets that align with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Media contact:
Mail: Global-Public_Relations@olympus.com

Olympus Corp [TYO: 7733] [ADR: OLYMY] [STU: OLY1] [FRA: OLYS] https://www.olympus-global.com

Olympus Launches VISERA S, a New Imaging Platform

Supporting patient comfort, improved diagnostics, and streamlined workflow, available in Europe, parts of Asia and Oceania

Olympus Corporation (Olympus), a global MedTech company committed to making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, today announced the launch of VISERA S¹, the all-in-one imaging platform with stroboscopy. The new video platform integrates advanced diagnostic capabilities, including NBI (Narrow Band Imaging) technology², and forms part of the expanding Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) solution from Olympus. The company will first launch VISERA S from September 2024 in Europe and parts of Asia and Oceania. VISERA S will later be introduced in other regions after product registration has been approved by the local regulatory bodies.

Designed to help improve ENT diagnostic efficiency and patient experience, VISERA S offers an integrated video diagnosis system that brings NBI to a range of patient settings, from outpatient offices to private practices. With VISERA S, the clinician can switch between white light, NBI and stroboscopy capabilities and use the sharp HD quality visualization to detect, characterize and treat ENT disease.

VISERA S VIDEO SYSTEM CENTER OLYMPUS OTV-S500

An all-in-one platform with NBI and advanced visualization
VISERA S, with its improved color resolution, depth of field and minimized noise, is expected to improve the contrast and visibility of vascular structures and mucosa.
Integrated model with video system center and multiple light sources
In previous models, the video system and strobe light source were separated, but VISERA S integrates them into a single unit. This allows switching between white light mode, NBI and stroboscopy modes at the touch of a button, which is expected to improve operability.
Expanded compatibility
Enhancing Olympus’ commitment to continuous diagnostic and patient-centered innovation, VISERA S supports a HD camera head, which provides higher image quality than the legacy video platform. VISERA S is also highly adaptable by being compatible with other Olympus scopes, camera heads, monitors and other existing video equipment.
Streamline and simplify patient care
VISERA S is engineered to reduce effort and improve patient experience without complexity. While previous models could only store still images, the new imaging platform can store higher-quality still images and record video, capturing a comprehensive procedural record and contributing to comprehensive reporting.

Comment from Martijn Koster, Global ENT Business Unit Leader at Olympus
“VISERA S brings the power of early, patient-friendly diagnosis to the office, outpatient and private practice ENT care settings. By listening and innovating around the needs of our customers and their patients, we envision that the variety of diagnostic tools on the VISERA S can potentially diagnose disease earlier in the patient care pathway. The VISERA S will help ENT physicians deliver next-generation diagnostic imaging that advances their efforts to save lives through earlier diagnosis.”

¹ This product is also applicable to urology and obstetrics and gynecology.
² NBI (Narrow band imaging) is an imaging technique for examining features such as the small blood vessels in mucosa and the surface patterns. NBI highlights tissue by illuminating it with two narrow bands (wavelengths) of light that are absorbed by the hemoglobin in blood without making use of a fluorescence dye.

About Olympus
At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide best-in-class solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit https://www.olympus-global.com/ and follow our global X account: @Olympus_Corp.

Media contact:
Mail: Global-Public_Relations@olympus.com

Olympus Corp [TYO: 7733] [ADR: OLYMY] [STU: OLY1] [FRA: OLYS] https://www.olympus-global.com

Olympus Launches New 4K Camera Head for Urological Endoscopy

Unified Visualization with True 4K Imaging and 4K Narrow Band Imaging as well as blue light observation

Olympus Corporation (Olympus), a global MedTech company committed to making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, announced today the launch of a new 4K camera head¹, CH-S700-08-LB, for endoscopic urology and gynecology procedures in Europe. The camera head is compatible with the VISERA ELITE III video system center for surgical endoscopy. This product is also set to be launched in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore as soon as it is ready to comply with the regulations of each country, sequentially from September 2024. The technical development of this product was led by Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Corporation, a joint venture between Olympus and Sony Corporation.

This product provides four times the number of pixels than a conventional HD camera head, enabling observation with 4K white light images and 4K NBI (Narrow Band Imaging)² images. It is also equipped with the BL (Blue Light)³ observation function offering versatile imaging capabilities in a single device to address diverse clinical needs. This will support high-quality diagnosis and treatment of urological diseases, including bladder cancer, by providing unprecedented endoscopic image clarity. Through the launch of this product, Olympus aims to enhance the patient care pathway of early diagnosis, minimally invasive treatment, and follow-up for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, thereby improving the standard of care and patient outcomes.

¹ A camera head mainly used in endoscopic surgery in combination with an endoscope and peripheral equipment for the purpose of displaying images inside the body on a monitor. This product is also applicable to obstetric and gynecological procedures.

² NBI (Narrow band imaging) is an imaging technique for examining features such as the small blood vessels in mucosa and the surface patterns. NBI highlights tissue by illuminating it with two narrow bands (wavelengths) of light that are absorbed by the hemoglobin in blood without making use of a fluorescence dye.

³ BL (Blue Light) is an optical-digital technology that supports distinguish cancerous tissue that accumulate certain fluorophores from healthy tissue that has not. Fluorophores are then selectively deposited in a tumor and emit red fluorescence under blue excitation light. As of this release, this function is supported only in Japan. It has not yet been approved for use in Europe per the EU MDR.

Background of the launch
Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers that occur in the elderly population. With its high prevalence, in conjunction with its vulnerability to multiple recurrences and progression despite local therapy, this leads to a substantial health service burden globally. In particular, non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), which is said to account for 75% of bladder cancers, recurs in 31-78% of cases within 5 years after surgery¹. In response, Olympus is focused on reducing postoperative recurrence and improving patient outcomes by enhancing cancer detection through urological endoscopy and supporting tumor resection through transurethral surgery. In September 2024, Olympus will launch the VISERA S, endoscopic visualization platform. Designed for office and ambulatory settings, which provides high-definition endoscopic images to support early detection and diagnosis of diseases. Both new product launches, the 4K CH-S700-08-LB and VISERA S, reflect Olympus’ commitment to advancing urological care and improving patient outcomes by providing enhanced visibility during surgical procedures.

1 Teoh, J.YC., Kamat, A.M., Black, P.C. et al. Recurrence mechanisms of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer —a clinical perspective. Nat Rev Urol 19, 280–294 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41585-022-00578-1

Image of Olympus' solution to the entire care pathway in bladder cancer — Image of Olympus’ solution to the entire care pathway in bladder cancer

True 4K Image Quality and 4K NBI
Exclusive full 4K image sensor generates 1 billion richer colors (ITU-R BT.2020 standard for a wide color gamut) and four times finer detail than previous generations in HD, enabling the surgeon to see the crucial details of the superficial layer of the mucosa that are important in urologic endoscopic surgery. NBI is a unique optical-digital technology that enhances visualization of mucosal structure and capillary patterns in the bladder using wavelengths that are highly absorbed by hemoglobin. It provides higher contrast and reveals significantly more tissue detail than WLI. This supports more precise lesion detection and resection.

Unified Visualization that relevant for endourology procedures
While a dedicated system was conventionally required to perform BL observation, this product enables white light observation, NBI observation, and BL observation with a single camera head, eliminating the need for system switches. The BL offers brighter backgrounds with improved color tone and clear contrast in HD for better visibility, contributing to more effective resections. It meets different observation needs depending on the case and supports more efficient operation of the equipment at medical institutions.

Effortless Usability and Ergonomics
One-touch autofocus supports precise endoscopic visualization and can be activated on the camera head body. Fine texture details are clearly visible at the touch of a button, minimizing distractions and enabling continuous focus on the procedure.

The product is manufactured by Olympus Medical Systems Corp.

About Olympus
At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide best-in-class solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit https://www.olympus-global.com/ and follow our global X account: @Olympus_Corp

Media contact:
Mail: Global-Public_Relations@olympus.com

Olympus Corp [TYO: 7733] [ADR: OLYMY] [STU: OLY1] [FRA: OLYS] https://www.olympus-global.com

Olympus Enhances Innovation Capabilities by Expanding R&D to Hyderabad, India

Olympus Corporation (Olympus), a global MedTech Company committed to making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, today announced its strategic initiative to establish an R&D Offshore Development Center (ODC) in Hyderabad, India. This decision comes as a result of a strategic agreement with global technology company HCLTech, aimed at diversifying Olympus’ innovation generation activities.

Endoscopy Engineering support services in India

Establishing this R&D ODC in Hyderabad is part of Olympus’ commitment to leverage global R&D talents and resources driving advancements in medical technology. Hyderabad is a major metropolitan area and is known as India’s MedTech hub, providing the talent needed for research and development activities necessary for Olympus’ expansion efforts.

Concurrent with the creation of the ODC, Olympus will also prepare for the establishment of Olympus’ in-house R&D center in the coming years. This center would be in addition to the company’s current R&D centers in Japan, the United States, and Europe.

The company plans to further establish its presence in the country by collaborating with AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad for joint research projects. By partnering with one of India’s premier healthcare institutions, Olympus aims to leverage clinical expertise and insights to drive the development of innovative medical solutions that address the evolving needs of patients worldwide.

Since establishing Olympus Medical Systems India Private Limited in 2009, Olympus has continued to expand its operations in India and has achieved growth with the support of its many stakeholders. These strategic initiatives not only reinforce Olympus’ commitment to advancing medical technology but also strengthen its global footprint and enhance the company’s ability to deliver impactful healthcare solutions.

Comment from Andre Roggan, Chief Technology Officer at Olympus
“It is with great pleasure and excitement that we announce this agreement with HCLTech, with whom we share a decade-long partnership in core engineering and R&D services. I am confident that our collaboration will enhance Olympus’ engineering capabilities and unlock new innovations that enable quality healthcare through technology.”

Comment from Mr. D. Sridhar Babu, Minister of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (ITE&C) and Industries & Commerce (I&C) of the Government of Telangana
“We are thrilled that Olympus Corporation, one of the world’s largest medical device companies, has chosen Hyderabad for its first investment in India with an R&D center, marking a significant milestone for our city’s medical devices ecosystem. With Hyderabad’s robust infrastructure, strategic location, and thriving community of innovative healthcare companies, this investment is poised to be a game-changer for the medical devices sector in India. We are confident that Olympus’ advanced technologies and expertise will significantly contribute to our vision of becoming a global hub for medical device innovation and manufacturing. I welcome Olympus Corporation to our ecosystem.”

About HCLTech
HCLTech is a global technology company, home to more than 227,000 people across 60 countries, delivering industry-leading capabilities centered around digital, engineering, cloud, and AI, powered by a broad portfolio of technology services and products. HCLTech works with clients across all major verticals, providing industry solutions for Financial Services, Manufacturing, Life Sciences and Healthcare, Technology and Services, Telecom and Media, Retail and CPG, and Public Services. Consolidated revenues as of the 12 months ending March 2024 totalled $13.3 billion. To learn how HCLTech can supercharge progress for you, visit hcltech.com.

About Olympus
At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide best-in-class solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit olympus-global.com and follow our global X account:@Olympus_Corp.

Media contact:
Mail: Global-Public_Relations@olympus.com

Olympus Corp [TYO: 7733] [ADR: OLYMY] [STU: OLY1] [FRA: OLYS] https://www.olympus-global.com

NTT and Olympus Begin World’s First Joint Demonstration Experiment of Cloud Endoscopy System

Cloud endoscopy system using NTT’s high-speed, low-latency IOWN APN technology

Highlights:

NTT’s IOWN APN technology and Olympus’ advanced technology for endoscopes will be utilized in a demonstration experiment of a cloud endoscopy system that enables real-time image processing of endoscopes on the cloud.
Through this demonstration experiment, the two companies will establish a reference model for the commercialization of a cloud endoscopy system and contribute to overcoming current limitations of endoscope processing performance and improving maintainability, as well as flexible and rapid response to the market.

NTT Corporation (NTT) and Olympus Corporation (Olympus) today announce that the two companies have jointly begun a demonstration experiment of a cloud endoscopy system that enables image processing on the cloud.

This cloud endoscopy system utilizes Olympus’ advanced technology for endoscopes to perform image processing, which has been conventionally processed within the endoscopic equipment, on a remote cloud. This has been difficult to achieve with conventional network technology. NTT’s IOWN APN technology^1,2 makes it possible to process images in real-time on the cloud. Through this demonstration experiment, the two companies will establish a reference model for the commercialization of the cloud endoscopy system, overcome the current limitations of processing performance of endoscopic equipment, improve maintainability, and provide a flexible and rapid market response to the market.

1. Background
An endoscope is a medical device in which a flexible tube is inserted into the natural openings of the body to perform an examination and obtain tissue samples. Instances where endoscopes can be utilized are increasing year by year due to the equipment’s low level of invasiveness and high level of safety, and the technology is becoming increasingly sophisticated.

When the endoscope was first introduced, it was a revolutionary device that allowed users to view the inside of the body in real time. Since then, it has progressed even further by supporting highdefinition images, introducing Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) using optical technology, and enabling the collection of samples simultaneously with observation. Recently, advanced support functions have been introduced, such as displaying potential lesions to the operator from the images taken by the endoscope, contributing to the early detection of lesions with greater safety and certainty.

Currently, endoscopes have performance and maintenance limitations. In addition, it is expected that more cases in the future will require flexible feature improvements and updates based on new user needs, such as real-time remote diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, there is discussion on cloud computing endoscopes, in which some functions with a high processing load, such as image processing, can be done in the cloud.

By sharing the processing load with GPUs on the cloud built-in data centers, users can receive the latest functions through software updates on the cloud and enable real-time remote diagnosis and treatment by sharing video information among multiple hospitals.

In addition to transitioning existing systems to the cloud, major network-related technical challenges include:

Realizing a high-speed, low-latency network with no delay between the endoscope and the cloud. Conventional networks require a long data transfer time which is unfavorable for the physicians.
Ensuring the high-quality connectivity required for medical endoscopes by promptly detecting abnormalities, such as network failures that would make the cloud unavailable, and providing minimum functions locally in such cases (fallback function).
Implementing advanced security measures on the data transfer path that are difficult even for quantum computers to decode to transmit information safely and accurately.

2. Details of the demonstration experiment
To realize a cloud endoscopy system, NTT and Olympus have started demonstration experiments centered on IOWN APN to solve technical problems in the network. In this demonstration experiment, the companies will construct an experimental environment in which an actual endoscope and a GPU server are connected by IOWN APN, using it as a starting point to carry out the following verifications:

Verify that the processing delay associated with the cloud does not occur by connecting the endoscope and the server simulating the cloud via an optical transmission path with high speed and low latency.
Verify that the system can achieve the high reliability and availability required for medical devices, including fallback in the event of a network failure.
Verify that information security can be ensured by encrypting information between the endoscope and the cloud using secure optical transport network technology³, which is difficult to attack even using quantum computers.

Based on the knowledge gained from the demonstration experiment, NTT and Olympus will jointly consider the commercialization of the cloud endoscopy system. Furthermore, NTT will establish a reference model for a network for medical devices that will solve various technical problems when medical devices are brought to the cloud, while Olympus will contribute to the establishment of an optimal network for the cloud endoscopy system and its reference model.

3. Roles of each company
(1) NTT
NTT has been providing high-speed, low-latency networks to its customers and promoting the IOWN concept, including the IOWN APN, which connects sites with an extremely high-capacity end-to-end optical path. In this demonstration experiment, the IOWN APN technology is utilized to verify and optimize the network necessary for the cloud endoscopy system.

(2) Olympus
Olympus has the top market share in the global endoscope field and is promoting the concept of a cloud endoscopy system, in which the sophisticated functions of endoscopes are computed on the cloud. In this demonstration experiment, Olympus will provide the specific requirements and evaluation items for the cloud endoscopy concept, as well as the endoscopic equipment for the demonstration experiment.

4. Outlook
Through this demonstration experiment, the two companies will confirm the feasibility of the cloud endoscopy system and help address social issues such as expanding access to advanced medical care. In addition, NTT will consider expanding use cases, such as promoting the use of other medical devices on the cloud, based on the knowledge gained from the demonstration experiment. Olympus will apply the results of this study and continue to study advanced technologies using IOWN technology, such as the cloud endoscopy system, that contribute to solving customer needs or problems.

Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN)
The IOWN is comprised of three components: the “All Photonics Network (APN),” which makes it possible not only for networks but also for terminal processing; the “Digital Twin Computing,” which enables advanced and real-time interaction between objects and humans in cyberspace; and the “Cognitive Foundation,” which efficiently deploys various ICT resources.
All Photonics Network (APN)
By introducing new optical technologies from the network to terminals and chips, APN achieves ultra-low power consumption and ultra-high-speed processing, which has been difficult to achieve. By assigning wavelengths to each function on a single optical fiber, we can provide multiple functions that support our social infrastructure, including information and communication functions such as the Internet and sensing functions, without interfering with each other.
Secure Optical Transport Network Technology
Technology for realizing secure information communication even in the age of quantum computers by sharing a common key between optical transmission devices using Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and encrypting the communication with the key.
https://www.rd.ntt/e/research/JN202111_16202.html

About NTT
NTT contributes to a sustainable society through the power of innovation. We are a leading global technology company providing services to consumers and business as a mobile operator, infrastructure, networks, applications, and consulting provider. Our offerings include digital business consulting, managed application services, workplace and cloud solutions, data center and edge computing, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. We are over $97B in revenue and 330,000 employees, with $3.6B in annual R&D investments. Our operations span across 80+ countries and regions, allowing us to serve clients in over 190 of them. We serve over 75% of Fortune Global 100 companies, thousands of other enterprise and government clients and millions of consumers.

About Olympus
At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide best-in-class solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit https://www.olympus-global.com/ and follow our global X account: @Olympus_Corp.

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NTT IOWN Integrated Innovation Center
Public Relations
nttrd-pr@ml.ntt.com

Olympus Corporation
Public Relations
Global-Public_Relations@olympus.com

Olympus Closes the Acquisition of Korean Gastrointestinal Stent Company, Taewoong Medical Co., Ltd

Olympus Corporation (Olympus), a global MedTech company committed to making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, today announced the closing of the acquisition of Taewoong Medical Co., Ltd, (Taewoong Medical), a Korea-based manufacturer of medical devices such as gastrointestinal (GI) metallic stents[1].

Taewoong Medical will join Olympus as a subsidiary, enabling Olympus to strengthen its GI EndoTherapy product portfolio capabilities, contribute to improving patient outcomes through comprehensive solutions, and elevate the standard of care.[2]

Taewoong Medical offers a variety of medical devices including metallic stents designed for biliary tract, esophagus, colon, and duodenum treatments. With the closing of the transaction, which was first proposed and announced in February 2023, Olympus will immediately oversee its offices and operations in Korea. Taewoong Medical will join Olympus’ Therapeutic Solutions Division, helping Olympus become a comprehensive solutions provider in the GI market with varied GI EndoTherapy solutions by bringing together talent and technology. The addition of Taewoong Medical to Olympus’ portfolio will contribute to the company’s focus on enhancing patient care pathways.

Niti-S Hot SPAXUS™ Stent & Electrocautery Stent Delivery System

Olympus acquires Taewoong Medical for approximately $370 million in cash, with $255.5 million paid upfront at closing, and up to $114.5 million of payments following attainment of technical and revenue milestones over a two-year period.

The transactions closure follows review by the Korean Fair Trade Commission.

Comment from Gabriela Kaynor, Global Division Head of Therapeutic Solutions Division at Olympus: “We are thrilled to incorporate Taewoong Medical’s GI metal stent portfolio, innovation capabilities, and talented team into our GI EndoTherapy Business Unit. Taewoong and Olympus share a passion for supporting patients suffering from GI diseases, and the completion of the acquisition is a vital milestone in our commitment to provide a full portfolio of clinically differentiated technologies to our GI customers. The acquisition will immediately expand our offerings globally in this critical segment of our business. With Taewoong Medical, we celebrate the opportunity to create value for our stakeholders and elevate the standard of patient care.”

Comment from Kyong-min Shin, President and CEO of Taewoong Medical: “As a leading medical company, Taewoong Medical manufactures a vast range of medical equipment of our own designs. Our objective is to maintain high levels of innovation, knowledge, and technical expertise to provide solutions for patients’ comfort. Together with Olympus, we are pleased to be able to approach more patients around the world.”

Overview of Taewoong Medical (as of Jan. 2024)

Company name: Taewoong Medical Co., Ltd.
Address: Gimpo-si, South Korea
Established: 1992
President and CEO: Kyong-min Shin
Revenue: 7,572 million JPY (as of Dec. 2022)[3]
Operating income: 1,087 million JPY (as of Dec. 2022)[3]
Business: R&D and manufacturing of non-vascular metallic stents
Number of employees: 410
Manufacturing location: Gimpo-si, South Korea
International footprint: Taewoong Medical products are sold in more than 80 countries

All company names and product names mentioned in this website are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

[1] A medical device made of a metallic mesh tube that is placed for dilating a stenosis within a tract such as biliary, esophagus, colon and duodenum.
[2] Products or devices presented include future technology which may be pending regional regulatory approval and are not available for sale in all regions.
[3] Calculated at the exchange rate of JPY 11.05 per 100 KRW (exchange rate as of the end of December 2023).

About Taewoong Medical
For over thirty years, Taewoong Medical has been dedicated to advancing medical technology and improving patient quality of life through the production and delivery of high-quality and innovative minimally invasive medical devices. Our flagship product, the Niti-S™ gastrointestinal stent, has been widely recognized as a pioneering and innovative solution, fulfilling the diverse needs of healthcare professionals globally. As our business continues to grow, we are expanding into new areas such as endoscopic instruments, interventional radiology and neurology devices, and pulmonary valves, with the aim of further improving patient outcomes. For more information, visit www.taewoongmedical.com.

About Olympus
At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide best-in-class solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit https://www.olympus-global.com/ and follow our global X account: @Olympus_Corp.

Media contact:
Mail: Global-Public_Relations@olympus.com

Olympus Corp [TYO: 7733] [ADR: OLYMY] [STU: OLY1] [FRA: OLYS] https://www.olympus-global.com

Olympus Named to Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for Three Consecutive Years

Olympus Corporation (Olympus), a global MedTech company committed to making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, today announced that it has been selected for inclusion in the 2023 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) and the 2023 Dow Jones Sustainability Asia Pacific Index (DJSI Asia Pacific), both among the most globally recognized corporate sustainability indices. Olympus has been named to the DJSI World for three consecutive years and DJSI Asia Pacific for five.

The Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) are corporate sustainability evaluation indices for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment. Jointly developed by S&P Dow Jones Indices and RobecoSAM, the DJSI tracks the financial performances of leading companies according to ESG criteria. These indices are updated annually to include companies with excellent corporate sustainability practices.

In 2023, 321 companies were selected as DJSI World members from approximately 2,500 companies worldwide in 62 industry sectors, and 156 companies were selected as DJSI Asia Pacific members from approximately 600 companies assessed in the region. Olympus is one of only 7 out of 76 companies to have been included in the DJSI World Health Care Equipment & Supplies sector. In addition to “Human Rights,” “Health Outcome Contribution,” and “Environmental Policy & Management Systems,” Olympus was recognized this year with improved scores in the areas of “Talent Attraction & Retention” through enhanced employee support programs, and “Corporate Governance” with an increased ratio of female directors. In addition to the DJSI World and Asia Pacific, Olympus was also named to the FTSE4Good Index Series and FTSE Blossom Japan Index.

Comment from Yasuo Takeuchi, Olympus Director, Representative Executive Officer, and Executive Chairman and ESG Officer:“Olympus has incorporated the concept of ESG into our corporate strategy toward the realization of Our Purpose of “making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling” and is actively developing various initiatives. We are very pleased to have been selected by DJSI World for the third consecutive year, as we consider this a recognition of our efforts. Olympus will continue to deliver innovations that only we can create and contribute to helping our stakeholders, including our employees, solve challenges.”

ESG InitiativesFor more information on Olympus’ ESG initiatives, please refer to its Integrated Report 2023 and the Sustainability page on its website.

About OlympusAt Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide best-in-class solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit https://www.olympus-global.com/ and follow our global X account: @Olympus_Corp.

Media contact:Airi YuasaTel: +81-70-3923-6064Mail: Global-Public_Relations@olympus.com

Olympus Corp [TYO: 7733] [ADR: OLYMY] [STU: OLY1] [FRA: OLYS] https://www.olympus-global.com

Vesica AI Selected as Winner of Inaugural Olympus Asia Pacific Innovation Program

Vesica AI, a promising medical startup company, has been selected as the winner of the inaugural Olympus Asia Pacific Innovation Program (OAIP). Vesica AI was chosen from a field of four finalists for its innovative AI-based clinical support system that supports and enhances the early detection of bladder cancer through the cystoscopy procedure. Vesica AI is the result of a collaboration between the University of Tsukuba Hospital in the Ibaraki-prefecture, Japan, and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), a Japanese public agency promoting scientific development.

(From left) Olympus Corporation Asia Pacific CEO Marc Radatt, Vesica AI Co-founder, CMO, and CTO Atsushi Ikeda, Vesica AI CEO Albert Liu

Olympus Corporation (Olympus), a global MedTech company committed to making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, partnered with MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific, the industry’s largest healthcare accelerator, to launch and facilitate the OAIP which ran throughout 2023. The program invited visionary startups with a connection to the Asia Pacific region to participate in the OAIP by submitting technologies that play a meaningful role in the advancement of minimally invasive care and new ways to detect, monitor, and treat conditions and diseases.

As the winning innovator, Vesica AI will receive grant funding of $75,000 as well as an exclusive mentorship program with key thought leaders from Olympus. The mentorship program will connect Vesica AI with experts from Olympus in meaningful ways that aim to support the future success of the company.

“All our four finalists showcased technology that could potentially revolutionize their respective fields in healthcare and improve patient outcomes. They presented strongly, and through this process, we are delighted to have selected Vesica AI as the inaugural winner of the Olympus Asia Pacific Innovation program. We are excited to help the Vesica AI team and the UroAI platform as we seek to elevate the standard of care in bladder cancer diagnosis,” said Felicia Chung, Business Development Head at Olympus Corporation Asia Pacific.

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, we strongly believe this mentorship program will be transformational for us in refining our business model, laser-focusing our commercialization and research and development efforts, and accelerating our fundraising and strategic collaboration plans,” said Albert Liu, Chief Executive Officer Vesica AI, and Charles Zahl, Chief Operating Officer Vesica AI, in a combined statement.

Marc Radatt, CEO of Olympus Corporation Asia Pacific, added: “We came away very impressed with Vesica AI’s innovative technology and the potential it has to transform the early detection of bladder cancer through cystoscopy as well as to make a real difference in the lives of patients across the Asia Pacific region and the world. As inaugural winners, we look forward to working with their talented team.”

About Olympus
As a leading medical technology company, Olympus’ Medical Business uses innovative capabilities in medical technology, therapeutic intervention, and precision manufacturing to help healthcare professionals deliver diagnostic, therapeutic, and minimally invasive procedures to improve clinical outcomes, reduce overall costs, and enhance the quality of life for patients. Olympus’ Medical portfolio includes endoscopes, laparoscopes, and video imaging systems, as well as surgical energy devices, customer solutions, medical services, and a wide range of endotherapy instruments for endoscopic and therapeutic applications. For more information, visit https://www.olympus-global.com/ and follow our global X account: @Olympus_Corp.

About Vesica AI
Vesica AI is a medical technology company that is engaged in the process of commercializing a proprietary and innovative AI-based clinical support system that supports and enhances the early detection of bladder cancer through cystoscopy. Its innovative AI-based system is the result of research and development by Dr. Atsushi Ikeda, MD and his team at the University of Tsukuba Hospital in Ibaraki-prefecture, Japan, in collaboration with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), a Japanese public agency promoting scientific development.

About MedTech Innovator
MedTech Innovator is the world’s largest accelerator of medical technology companies. Its mission is to improve human health by accelerating the growth of companies transforming care. MedTech Innovator has been a catalyst for groundbreaking healthcare solutions, reviewing nearly 10,000 applicants and fostering the growth of 613 companies that have collectively raised over US$ 7.2 billion in follow-on funding and introduced 285 products to the market, transforming the lives of millions. For more information about MedTech Innovator, its annual programs, portfolio of industry-leading startups, and insights on trends, visit MTI’s website, follow them on LinkedIn, and subscribe to its monthly newsletter.

Media contact:
Gabrielle Kamie
Tel: +81-70-2629-2739
Mail: Global-Public_Relations@olympus.com

Olympus Corp [TYO: 7733] [ADR: OLYMY] [STU: OLY1] [FRA: OLYS] https://www.olympus-global.com