D.O.R.C. Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (International) BV

The latest generation of Zeiss femtosecond lasers offer rapid treatment, more flexibility, and major workflow upgrades for surgically treating nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism A product shot of VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro software from Zeiss. (Credit: PR Newswire/ Carl Zeiss Meditec AG) Zeiss Medical Technology of Carl Zeiss Meditec has received the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro software from Zeiss. The latest generation of Zeiss femtosecond lasers has been cleared by the US FDA for surgically treating nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism. VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro is said to offer rapid treatment, more flexibility, and major workflow upgrades to refractive surgeons in the US. Using its fast laser pulse repetition rate of 2 MHz, the system creates the lenticule in less than 10 seconds, Carl Zeiss claimed. In addition, the reduced procedure time can lower stress for surgeons and their patients. The Zeiss femtosecond laser also offers the surgeon and patient more flexibility with a lower footprint and compatibility with a range of patient beds. The German medical technology firm said that the laser adapts to the clinical environment to deliver advanced technology without compromising quality. Zeiss Medical Technology digital business unit head and ophthalmology strategic business unit president Euan Thomson said: “Zeiss continues to set itself apart in the US market with the availability of the VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro software from Zeiss, providing the latest digital technology from the company’s legacy of innovation to meet the evolving needs of refractive surgeons. “As part of the Zeiss Medical Ecosystem, this next-generation femtosecond laser system creates data-driven insights to help surgeons manage better treatment paths for patients while supporting each surgeon’s unique practice requirements for greater workflow efficiency and performance.” The VISUMAX 800 with SMILE pro software from Zeiss now comes with several workflow enhancements in the US. These include the CentraLign centration aid, a computer-controlled function for easy centration and the OcuLign cyclotorsion adjustment to help counteract any potential cyclotorsion. Zeiss femtosecond lasers now also incorporate VISULYZE user nomograms, which offer detailed nomograms and give surgeons more control during every surgery. In December last year, Carl Zeiss Meditec agreed to buy Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (International) (DORC) for €985m.

Carl Zeiss Meditec CEO Markus Weber, Ph.D., specifically noted that the addition of DORC’s technologies will help “accelerate ZEISS’s position in the vitreo-retinal surgery segment and extend our leadership in the ophthalmic medical devices market.” Even after decades of experience developing eye-related devices under its belt, Carl Zeiss Meditec is still looking to expand its ophthalmic portfolio. The German company—a subsidiary of the larger Zeiss Group conglomerate—announced Friday that it has inked an agreement to acquire Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center, or DORC, a research institute in the Netherlands that is churning out a line of retinal surgical devices. Under the terms of their agreement, Zeiss will buy out 100% of DORC’s shares from the institute’s current owner, the French investment firm Eurazeo. All told, the acquisition is valued at approximately 985 million euros, or about $1.08 billion, according to the announcement. Though the deal is still in need of certain regulatory and antitrust sign-offs, Zeiss and DORC are expecting it to wrap up in the first half of next year. In its announcement, Zeiss said that the planned purchase will complement the work of its Zeiss Medical Technology business group, which makes a variety of devices used in ophthalmology and optometry, as well as imaging tools, radiotherapy systems, microscopes and other devices needed for microsurgery procedures beyond the eye. DORC, meanwhile, offers its own suite of ophthalmic devices, centered around its EVA line of surgical systems and accessories. Carl Zeiss Meditec CEO Markus Weber, Ph.D., specifically noted in the release that the addition of DORC’s technologies will help “accelerate ZEISS’s position in the vitreo-retinal surgery segment and extend our leadership in the ophthalmic medical devices market.” “By joining forces with Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center, we will greatly enhance our ZEISS Retina Workflow and overall portfolios for both posterior and anterior surgery segments, helping to firmly establish our position as a leading solutions provider in the global retinal surgery market,” added Euan Thomson, Ph.D., head of Zeiss Medical Technology’s ophthalmology and digital business units. The acquisition announcement came just a few days after Zeiss reported nearly 10% revenue growth for its fiscal year 2022/23. That pushed its revenues past the 2 billion euro mark, the bulk of which came from its ophthalmology business unit, where revenues increased more than 7% to reach more than 1.57 billion euros. The microsurgery unit, meanwhile, saw growth of more than 18%, allowing it to bring in more than half a billion euros. The news also comes about a year and a half after Zeiss’s last medtech-focused acquisition. That time, Carl Zeiss Meditec announced in April 2022 its plans to pick up both Kogent Surgical and Katalyst Surgical, two Missouri-based surgical instrument makers. The financial terms of those buyouts weren’t disclosed.

DORC supplies equipment, instruments and liquids for ophthalmic surgery to improve eye surgery globally and enhances surgeon control by offering quality approaches for eye disorders Carl Zeiss agrees to buy DORC. (Credit: ZEISS) Carl Zeiss Meditec has agreed to acquire Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (International) (DORC) from French investment firm Eurazeo for €985m. DORC supplies equipment, instruments and liquids for ophthalmic surgery to improve eye surgery globally and enhances surgeon control by offering quality approaches for eye disorders. Carl Zeiss Meditec said the acquisition is expected to improve and complement the range of digitally connected workflow solutions and ophthalmic treatments offered by its unit, ZEISS Medical Technology. ZEISS Medical Technology’s technology addresses a wide range of eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, retinal disorders, and refractive errors. According to Germany-based Carl Zeiss, DORC will also support its long-term strategy and future success. DORC’s line of instruments, consumables, and fluids for eye procedures will also expand the company’s portfolio. In addition, ZEISS will solidify its position in the ophthalmic medical equipment market and increase its market share in the vitreo-retinal (VR) surgery market. Carl Zeiss Meditec president and CEO Markus Weber said: “With the acquisition of Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center, we’ll bring together two highly innovative ophthalmic powerhouses to accelerate ZEISS’s position in the vitreo-retinal surgery segment and extend our leadership in the ophthalmic medical devices market.” Additionally, the acquisition adds DORC’s EVA NEXUS platform, an advanced dual-function system, to ZEISS Medical Technology’s offering. EVA NEXUS includes a dual-capable system and a full range of accessories, instruments, and liquids that offer a solution across VR, cataract, and combined procedures on a single platform. DORC International CEO Pierre Billardon said: “In the year when DORC celebrates 40 years of innovation in ophthalmic surgery, we could not be more excited to join a market leader and visionary like ZEISS Medical Technology. “We’ve built an amazing business with innovative, market-leading products and look forward to seizing this opportunity for growth and advancing the future of ophthalmic surgery. “I am personally proud and immensely grateful to all of the team at D.O.R.C. for their commitment and expertise to help patients see again.” The deal is anticipated to conclude in the first half of 2024, subject to applicable regulatory and antitrust approvals. Furthermore, RBC Capital Markets acted as an exclusive financial advisor to the acquisition.