March 24, 2004: TORONTO, CANADA and TOKYO, JAPAN: VisualSonics Inc. is pleased to announce that Primetech Corp. will distribute its Vevo 660™ high-resolution in vivo imaging system for small animal preclinical research in the Japanese market. “We are pleased to be working with Primetech to offer our high-resolution micro-imaging system to the Japanese academic and preclinical pharmaceutical market”, says Tom Little, CEO of VisualSonics Inc. “With their scientific and application expertise in the small animal cardiovascular research, developmental biology, and cancer research markets, we are sure that our combined growing customer base in Japan will be extremely well-serviced by Primetech’s team”. Primetech is a leading distributor of small animal research products for the cardio, vascular and pre-clinical pharmaceutical markets in Japan. “We are excited about the possibilities for the Vevo 660 high-resolution imaging system as there is significant demand in the Japanese market for a non-invasive in vivo imaging system specifically targeted at the preclinical market that provides such high resolution”, says Ryosuke Ogihara, President of Primetech. “There are already six VisualSonics systems in Japan and we feel that number will grow very quickly now that we can meet demand and offer local application support and training”.
Primetech will be introducing VisualSonics’ newly released 3D volumetric tumor measurement application for cancer research as well as it new EKV™ application that allows cardiovascular researchers to study the beating adult mouse heart at up to 1,000 frames/second. The first element of the Japanese launch program will include exhibiting the Vevo 660™ and delivering an Imaging Workshop at the upcoming Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Circulation Society in Tokyo from March 27 – 29, 2004. About Primetech Corp. Primetech Corporation (www.primetech.co.jp) is the leading provider of foreign high-tech laboratory animal science products and systems in the fields of Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Central Nervous System study to the Japanese academic and preclinical pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Now, Primetech is expanding its application expertise and product offering to the field of cancer research. Primetech aims to create true value for customers who research challenging issues in the field of advanced life science. Primetech provide better solutions for customer needs and contributes to the progress and improvement of society with prime technology and excellent customer and application support.
About VisualSonics
VisualSonics Inc. (www.visualsonics.com) is the leading manufacturer of high-resolution in vivo imaging systems for small animal research. VisualSonics’ Vevo 660™ high-resolution imaging system provides real-time visualization and measurement of anatomical and hemodynamic function in small animals down to 30 microns. Because of the non-invasive nature of the technology, longitudinal studies of the same animal can be performed. This high-resolution imaging technology is being successfully applied to phenotypic-based research applications such as developmental biology, cardiovascular research, cancer biology, neurobiology and preclinical drug discovery.
Primetech Contact:
Mr. Ryosuke Ogihara
President
Primetech Corporation
Tel. +81-3-3816-0851
Email rogihara@primetech.co.jp
W. http://www.primetech.co.jp