Olympus America Inc. has signed an agreement allowing Leica Microsystems GmbH of Wetzlar, Germany, to access an extensive portfolio of patents it holds in the field of digital pathology and virtual microscopy. The patents cover methods and equipment for creating, storing and delivering virtual microscopy slides. The technology enables individuals to view and share high-resolution virtual microscopy images over the Internet. “We’ve seen interest in digital slide scanning grow rapidly over the past few years,” said Osamu Joji of Olympus America’s Scientific Equipment Group. “Olympus is the holder of these important patents, and we feel it is vital to allow broad access to these technologies in order to advance the field of pathology. Ultimately, we hope that implementing these technologies will help enhance health care for patients around the world.” The companies have not made the specific terms and conditions of the agreement public, but the agreement covers nonexclusive worldwide licensing rights. Leica expects the agreement will allow the company to expand its microscopy portfolio and provide its customers with products ranging from digital scanning of microscopy slides to the handling and management of digital pathology data, said Stefan Traeger of Leica’s Life Science Div. “We believe digital slide scanning will be the fastest-growing segment in microscopy for years to come,” he said. For more information, visit: www.olympusamerica.com