GE Healthcare Forms Strategic Alliance with FUJIFILM in Life Sciences

The products will be sold worldwide under the GE brand in the life science research and drug discovery markets.

Life science research has advanced rapidly in recent years with the advent of tools for genomic and protein research such as biomolecular labeling, detection and analysis. These technologies have helped reveal the functions of proteins, thereby contributing to scientists’ understanding of disease processes. The use of life science instrumentation and reagents in bioscience research is growing, and the demand for new and innovative enabling technologies is expanding.

In 1987, Fujifilm was the first company to introduce the revolutionary digital autoradiography device which utilized the Imaging Plate, a radiation detector with sensitivity 100 times greater than X-ray film. Since then, Fujifilm has utilized its chemical and optical technologies cultivated in the field of photo imaging to launch a broad range of instruments including innovative CCD camera systems, contributing to the advancement of imaging in genomic and protein research.

In 1923, GE Healthcare introduced the first radio isotope reagents, which initiated the field of biomolecular labeling and detection. Since then, GE Healthcare has introduced a series of non-radioactive detection reagents, such as ECL and CyDyes, to enable safe and quantitative biomolecular labeling, detection and analysis. The company’s system solutions have radically improved the way scientists can analyze gene and protein expression in tissues and cells.

“This deal represents an important progression for our business,” stated Yuzo Toda, Director, Corporate Vice President, General Manager of Life Science Products Division, Fujifilm. “By forming the alliance, both companies will make the most of our complementary capabilities to continue to contribute to the advancement of genomic and protein research, and to help enhance the quality of life of people worldwide. GE Healthcare’s global presence as a supplier of reagents and instruments, and its competence in biological applications within the life science field combined with Fujifilm’s leading imaging technologies, R&D and manufacturing capabilities will provide our customers with comprehensive system solutions for research, drug discovery and bioanalytical applications.”

“We are delighted to work with Fujifilm to expand our support to bioscience research in biomolecular imaging system solutions,” said Nigel Darby, General Manager of Biotechnologies, Life Sciences, GE Healthcare. “Fujifilm‘s high quality technology platforms fit well with our proprietary labeling technologies and the adjacent fields in the imaging workflow that GE Healthcare currently addresses. Furthermore, the integration of the imaging platform with our global service organization will give strong and valuable customer support.”