Japan-headquartered medical and industrial equipment producer Olympus Corporation has launched a $50m corporate venture capital vehicle called Olympus Innovation Ventures.
Founded in 1919, initially as an optics specialist, Olympus manufactures medical devices such as endoscopes as well as microscopes for use in life sciences and industrial equipment like testing instruments and analysers.
The unit will target developers of technology which can improve clinical work, improve quality of life for patients and cut healthcare costs. Areas of interest include gastroenterology, respiratory and urology, and the fund will invest at early and growth stage.
Touchdown Ventures will help the corporate manage Olympus Innovation Ventures, which will be overseen by Christos Monovoukas, global M&A lead and vice-president of business development for Olympus, and Yasuko Shusa, senior manager for global business development.
Olympus chief operating officer Nacho Abia said: “This effort is another way Olympus is demonstrating its commitment to excellence and creating tangible value for providers and patients. We believe we will play a meaningful role in the advancement of minimally invasive care and new ways to detect, monitor and treat conditions and diseases.”
