Carl Zeiss Meditec AG to acquire Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center

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Carl Zeiss Meditec AG announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (International) B.V. (D.O.R.C.) from the investment firm Eurazeo SE, Paris, France.

According to a news release,¹ the deal will enhance and complement ZEISS Medical Technology’s broad ophthalmic portfolio and range of digitally connected workflow solutions for addressing a wide variety of eye conditions, including retinal disorders, cataracts, glaucoma and refractive errors.

D.O.R.C., a key player in the retinal surgical devices market, will be a key contributor to ZEISS Medical Technology’s long-term strategy and success going forward.

The company noted that with the acquisition, it will expand its position in the vitreo-retinal (VR) surgery segment, further strengthening its position as the fastest growing manufacturer of ophthalmic medical devices globally. D.O.R.C.’s products are used by ophthalmic surgeons around the world to treat a wide range of vision-threatening conditions. Their innovative portfolio of devices, disposables and liquids for ophthalmic surgeries are a strong complement to the ZEISS Medical Technology portfolio.¹

Moreover, according to the news release, D.O.R.C. also brings to the acquisition a dual-function system - the EVA NEXUSTM platform. EVA NEXUSTM is the core of a strong portfolio, comprising of a dual-capable system and a full range of accessories, instruments and liquids offering a best-in-class solution across VR, cataract, and combined procedures, ensuring surgeons can rely on a single platform to cater to a variety of procedure types.

“With the acquisition of Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center, we’ll bring together two highly innovative ophthalmic powerhouses to accelerate ZEISS’s position in the vitreo-retinal surgery segment and extend our leadership in the ophthalmic medical devices market,” Markus Weber, PhD, president and CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, said in the company’s news release.

Euan S. Thomson, PhD, head of the Ophthalmology Strategic Business Unit and Head of the Digital Business Unit for ZEISS Medical Technology, added that it helps the company meet the needs of its customers. 

“Meeting our customers’ growing surgical needs to improve patients’ lives is the cornerstone of this acquisition,” Thomson said in the news release. “By joining forces with Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center, we will greatly enhance our ZEISS Retina Workflow and overall portfolios for both posterior and anterior surgery segments, helping to firmly establish our position as a leading solutions provider in the global retinal surgery market.”

Pierre Billardon, CEO of Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center, International, lauded the acquisition.

“In the year when D.O.R.C. celebrates 40 years of innovation in ophthalmic surgery, we could not be more excited to join a market leader and visionary like ZEISS Medical Technology,” Billardon said in the news release. “We’ve built an amazing business with innovative, market-leading products and look forward to seizing this opportunity for growth and advancing the future of ophthalmic surgery. I am personally proud and immensely grateful to all of the team at D.O.R.C. for their commitment and expertise to help patients see again.”

The acquisition is valued at approximately EUR 985 million and is expected to close in the first half of calendar year 2024. The transaction remains subject to applicable regulatory and antitrust approvals. RBC Capital Markets served as exclusive financial advisor to the transaction.¹

Reference:

1. Carl Zeiss Meditec AG announces agreement to acquire Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (D.O.R.C.). Published December 15, 2023. Accessed December 15, 2023. https://www.zeiss.com/meditec-ag/en/media-news/press-releases/2023/dutch-ophthalmic-research-center.html.