EssilorLuxottica and Heidelberg Engineering have agreed for the former’s acquisition of an 80 per cent stake in Heidelberg Engineering, a Germany-based company specialising in diagnostic solutions, digital surgical technologies and healthcare IT for clinical ophthalmology.
Founded by Dr Gerhard Zinser and Christoph Schoess in 1990, Heidelberg Engineering specialises in optical coherence tomography, real-time image processing and analytics, large-scale data analysis and digital surgical navigation, serving medical professionals, scientists and researchers across a broad range of ophthalmic areas. It has a presence in more than 100 countries.
As part of EssilorLuxottica, Heidelberg Engineering will continue to serve the market under its own brand.
“Heidelberg Engineering, renowned for its expertise in early detection and diagnosis, is a perfect fit for EssilorLuxottica as it will bolster our presence in the med-tech space,” commented Francesco Milleri, chairman and chief executive officer, and Paul du Saillant, deputy chief executive officer at EssilorLuxottica.
They added: “By harnessing the full spectrum of our group’s capabilities in the optical industry, from logistics to manufacturing to global distribution, we are dedicated to fostering their long-term growth while enhancing the doctor and patient experience.”
Christoph Schoess, co-founder and managing director of Heidelberg Engineering, stated: “Innovation and quality have been key drivers for Heidelberg Engineering ever since Gerhard Zinser and I founded the company 35 years ago. Our mission has always been to develop products that provide comprehensive, accurate, and clinically relevant information to aid ophthalmologists in achieving better outcomes for their patients.
“Our future goals include enhancing image quality through higher resolution, expanding the applications of imaging technologies, and integrating AI solutions into the growing Heyex Healthcare IT platform. We are delighted that EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in eyecare, embraces our vision for creating a shared care system spanning from research to home monitoring. Together, we are strongly positioned to significantly advance patient care and improve clinical outcomes.”
The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2024 pending regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.