FUJIFILM Signs a Comprehensive Joint Research and Development Agreement With Fox Chase Cancer Center in the Field of Endoscopy

VALHALLA, N.Y., April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation announced that it has signed a five-year comprehensive joint research and development agreement on endoscopy-related products with one of the most prominent cancer prevention and treatment facilities in the United States, Fox Chase Cancer Center ("FCCC") *(1), located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Fujifilm has entered into this research & development partnership with FCCC to reinforce its efforts to develop diagnostic and therapeutic instruments that meet and anticipate the North American clinical needs in the endoscopy suite and the operating room.  

In recent years, flexible endoscopes have evolved well beyond their initial role as simple diagnostic instruments for the observation of human tissue.  Today, endoscopes are used for very advanced therapeutic intervention in the digestive tract, such as hemostasis, stent placements, endoscopic sub-mucosal dissection (ESD), and the treatment of early-stage cancer.  In addition to these advances in flexible endoscopes, surgical endoscopes have rapidly developed into a critical tool supporting the advent of minimally-invasive surgical techniques that can reduce patient trauma, shorten recovery time, and reduce scarring.  Given these advances in endoscopic technology, the North American market is actively exploring next-generation minimally-invasive treatment methods such as Single Port Surgery (SPS)*(2) and Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery® (NOTES®)*(3,4).  Since these methods require advanced technologies, expectations are running high for the development of safer and easier-to-use medical equipment.

"As one of the leading cancer research and treatment facilities in the United States, Fox Chase Cancer Center provides exceptional knowledge and expertise in the fields of gastro-intestinal endoscopy, pulmonary endoscopy, and endoscopic surgery," said Sumito Yamada, General Manager, FUJIFILM Medical Systems Research and Development Center.  "We believe that this expertise, combined with Fujifilm's extensive research and development organization will allow us to support medical practitioners' basic research in therapeutic endoscopy, SPS, and NOTES® as a way of contributing to future product development for the actualization of next-generation options in minimally-invasive treatment."

"This innovative academic-industry partnership promises to help Fujifilm further its business objectives while providing Fox Chase Cancer Center with a significant opportunity to develop advanced new endoscopic and minimally-invasive procedural capabilities to better serve our patients," said Michael V. Seiden, M.D., Ph.D., President & CEO, Fox Chase Cancer Center.  "Under this agreement, Fujifilm will provide new equipment and other significant resources that will allow Fox Chase to substantially upgrade its existing endoscopy laboratory and related infrastructure.  In return, Fox Chase gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, and surgeons will offer their expertise to support Fujifilm in developing leading-edge endoscopes and other medical devices for the U.S. market."

Fujifilm currently markets a full-line of distinctive endoscopic products, including a trans-nasal gastroscope which reduces the need for sedatives, and Double Balloon Endoscopy®, the world's first endoscope platform capable of visualization and treatment of the entire small bowel.  Under the corporate philosophy of using advanced and proprietary technologies to contribute to improving human quality of life, Fujifilm will undertake the global deployment of the Medical Systems business, which includes endoscopy, as one of the company's focal growth areas.

About FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, brings continuous innovation and leading-edge products to a broad spectrum of industries, including electronic imaging, digital printing equipment, medical systems, life sciences, graphic arts, flat panel display materials, and office products, based on a vast portfolio of digital, optical, fine chemical and thin film coating technologies. The company was among the top 25 companies around the world granted U.S. patents in 2009, and in the year ended March 31, 2009, had global revenues of $25 billion. Fujifilm is committed to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship.  For more information, please visit www.fujifilmholdings.com.

*    FCCC is a non-profit medical institution in Pennsylvania, and was formed in the merger of the American Oncologic Hospital and the Institute for Cancer Research in 1974.  The Center's president and CEO is Michael V Seiden, M.D., PhD.

*2    A surgical technique of performing laparoscopy through a single entry point.  Compared to traditional laparoscopy, the number of entry points is reduced to one to achieve minimal invasiveness.

*3    A surgical technique of passing an endoscope through a natural orifice (mouth, anus, vagina, etc.), and making internal incision to reach the target area inside body and perform diagnosis / treatment without external incision.

*4   NOTES, NOSCAR, Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery, and Natural Orifice Surgery Consortium for Assessment and Research are registered trademarks of ASGE and SAGES.

All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.

SOURCE FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation