Syncroscopy and Leica Microsystems Sign Major Licensing Deal.
Allowing Leica to Offer Auto-Montage Pro as part of LAS Software

19th May 2006 Cambridge, UK: Syncroscopy, the world leader in unique digital imaging solutions for microscopy, is pleased to announce it has signed a major licensing deal with Leica Microsystems to allow the company to integrate Auto-Montage Pro, Syncroscopy’s unrivalled software for producing in-focus images of 3D specimens into the Leica Application Suite (LAS) software.

As part of the agreement, Syncroscopy has utilised considerable technical resources to ensure Auto-Montage Pro is fully integrated into the LAS system to produce a software module known as LAS Montage. The integrated software will be sent out with every new automated Leica microscope and Leica digital camera purchased. Users will have the opportunity to trial LAS Montage for 60 days free of charge. After this time they can decide whether or not to purchase the full version of LAS Montage.

Geoff Jenkinson, Product Manager at Leica Microsystems and instigator of this agreement commented: “At Leica we like to make using microscopes as simple as possible. Since LAS links our automated microscopes, digital cameras and software it makes perfect sense to provide a module which will generate an extended focus image. We approached Syncroscopy because Auto-Montage is internationally renowned for this application and we know many microscopists are keen to try it.”

“The advantage of LAS Montage will be that users only have one software to learn and control so they can rapidly get down to the serious business of imaging and analysing their samples without having to jump between different platforms.” Jenkinson continued.

Martin Smith, Syncroscopy’s Divisional Manager stated: “We are delighted that Leica Microsystems asked us to integrate Auto-Montage Pro into their LAS software. Auto-Montage has long been the premier product for depth of field reconstruction and making it more widely accessible will ensure that Leica microscope users can produce stunning in-focus images of 3D specimens quickly and easily.”

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For Further Information Contact:
Jayne Arthur, Syncroscopy, Beacon House, Nuffield Road, Cambridge, CB4 1TF, UK.
Tel: +44(0) 1223-727127 Fax +44 (0) 1223-727101
Email: jayne.arthur@syncroscopy.com  Web site: www.syncroscopy.com

Geoff Jenkinson, Leica Microsystems Imaging Solutions Ltd, 515 Coldhams Lane, Cambridge, CB1 3XJ, UK.
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 411 411 Fax: +44 (0) 1223 412 526
Email:geoff.jenkinson@leica-microsystems.com  Web: www.microscopy-imaging.com

Editor Contact:
Dr Sue Pearson, PO Box 170, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 3GD, UK.
Tel/Fax +44 (0)1462-635327 Email: Sue6.pearson@ntlworld.com

Note to Editors

About Syncroscopy

Syncroscopy develops and manufactures world-leading digital imaging solutions for extending the capabilities of optical microscopes. Syncroscopy's innovative brands include: Auto-Montage, unique software that produces infinite depth of focus images and has 3D modelling and measurement features and SyncroScan, an automated system, which attaches to digital microscopes to allow high speed sample scanning and precise image stitching. Syncroscopy's software and systems are used by more than 2,000 organisations internationally and include many of the world's major research institutes.

Syncroscopy, founded in 1998 is a division of the Synoptics Group based in Cambridge, UK. The Group’s other divisions, Syngene and Synbiosis, specialise in digital imaging solutions for molecular biology and microbial applications respectively. Synoptics currently employs 60 people in its UK and subsidiary operation in Frederick, USA.

About Leica Microsystems

Leica Microsystems is a leading global designer and producer of innovative high-tech precision optics systems for the analysis of microstructures. It is one of the market leaders in each of the fields Microscopy, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, Imaging Systems, Specimen Preparation and Medical Equipment. The company manufactures a broad range of products for numerous applications requiring microscopic imaging, measurement and analysis. It also offers system solutions in the areas of Life Science including biotechnology and medicine, as well as the science of raw materials and industrial quality assurance.

The company is represented in over 100 countries with 8 manufacturing facilities in 6 countries, sales and service organisations in 19 countries and an international network of dealers. With its workforce of about 3,300 employees it made a turnover of 480m euros in 2005. The international management is headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany.