Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: NanoFocus AG:NanoFocus AG signs distribution contract

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Abstract:
The Oberhausen nanotechnology equipment supplier NanoFocus has concluded a distribution contract today with the IMSTec GmbH based in Mainz. IMSTec is a service provider specialising in quality assurance in the medical growth sector of 'stents'.

As an OEM-supplier, the NanoFocus AG will in future provide quality specialists with sensors in order to better equip its machines. Fifteen systems should already be delivered in the first two years.

NanoFocus AG:NanoFocus AG signs distribution contract

Germany | Posted on February 7th, 2007

The nanotechnology equipment supplier NanoFocus has concluded a cooperation and distribution contract with the IMSTec GmbH. The contract was signed today. The firm from Mainz is a specialist for quality assurance in the area of medical technology of stents. Stents are small, ultra-precise vascular implants, and are employed in particular in the treatment of constricted coronary vessels, as well as in the treatment of cancer, in order to ensure that air passages or bile ducts which have been constricted by tumours remain open.

In late 2006 the IBM spin-off IMSTec had already leased an initial complete system from NanoFocus for evaluation purposes. The start signal has now been given for serial production of a measurement system for the quality control of 'inline' stents. The first sensor modules which are to be integrated into quality control systems for this specialised sector in medical technology have been ordered. These systems serve to automatically inspect components in assembly, and will be deployed for parts distribution, detecting defects and automatic sorting.

NanoFocus know-how for specialised growth markets

NanoFocus has strengthened its position as an enabler in nanotechnology through this contractually agreed-on cooperation. Promising markets are being equipped with NanoFocus OEM products for the improvement of innovative inspection- and assembly machines. After the development of innovative measurement devices for micro- and nanotechnology, particularly in the last few years, worldwide distribution in selected specialised markets will now be expanded by means of partners with experience in particular branches. NanoFocus has already sold solutions for quality assurance for coated stents to well-known globally-operating medical technology companies. In December 2006, an order was already placed by Johnson & Johnson in the USA for the production of a special system via NanoFocus Inc. Through the branch-specialist solution- and distribution partner IMSTec this specialised market is to be further developed. The stent segment is a lucrative niche sector in medical technology.

Innovative firms need nanotools

Dr. Schreier, CEO of NanoFocus, is confident: 'We have a variety of solutions available that are adapted to needs and are technologically superior. We are eager to cooperate with partners with experience in their branches, who for their part are deploying innovative and application-oriented solutions, and who want to penetrate niche markets. We are pleased when NanoFocus products create genuine added-value via product-improvement. IMSTec consciously chose NanoFocus, so as to benefit from this potential synergy in the sense of a win-win strategy. We look forward to this promising collaboration.'

The firm from Mainz sees in NanoFocus the ideal partner for expanding its own technological capacity. 'We made the choice for NanoFocus technology, because we were won over by the high precision and rapidity of µsurf. These are ideal preconditions for deployment in the expansion of stent inspection. Furthermore, NanoFocus was able to offer us a tested OEM solution, which will enable us to make a rapid entry onto the market,' explained Edgar Mähringer-Kunz, Managing Director of IMSTec.

Successful start for the expanded growth model

With IMSTec, the first partner for the NanoFocus '3D growth model' has been acquired in the new 2007 business year.

In addition to winning new partners for direct marketing in selected specialised branches, NanoFocus AG intends to expand and further develop especially their OEM business. The already positive trend in the year 2006 is being continued here in 2007. 'The conclusion of a contract with IMSTec shows that we are moving in the right direction. NanoFocus will continue the growth already achieved in 2006,' confirmed Dr. Schreier.

NanoFocus AG Executive Board

About IMSTec GmbH: The IMSTec GmbH is a service provider active around the world in issues of assembly automation and quality monitoring as an IBM business-partner. It has been offering services, products and assembly solutions in the manufacturing industry since early 2005. The business concept behind this is the result of the long business experiences in high-tech areas that both management and staff have accumulated. IMSTec GmbH customers manufacture products in the areas of medical technology, and both semi-conductor and magnetic head assembly. Besides providing know-how, technologies, software und systems, successful business operations are also being conducted in the area of 'factory automation' together with IBM Deutschland GmbH. Furthermore, the portfolio includes the marketing of IBM products and services, as well as the development of specialised individual solutions.

Independent operation as a GmbH (private limited company) combined with the close and strategic partnership with an international group guarantees a strong position on the market. The business model thus profits from cost-reducing, short and efficient decision-making, which makes rapid and flexible reactions in an extended network with internationally-operating firms possible. http://www.imstec.de

About Stents: In medicine, a stent is an implant which is inserted into certain organs, in order to maintain the diameter of their walls. It is a small wire form in the shape of a small pipe made out of metal or plastic.

Stents are used on the one hand in blood vessels, in particular in the coronary vessels, to prevent their renewed closure after being expanded (PTCA - Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty); such treatment is called the stent procedure in angioplasty. On the other hand, stents are used in the treatment of cancer, in order to keep air passages (windpipe), bile ducts or the oesophagus open, after their constriction due to malignant tumours has been counteracted. (Source: http://www.wikipedia.org )

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About NanoFocus AG
NanoFocus AG is the pioneer and technology leader of a new generation of high precision optical 3D surface analysis tools for the laboratory and production. With its user-friendly, robust and economical instruments, the company revolutionizes the surface analysis market and facilitates three-dimensional imaging and the monitoring of surfaces with structures in the micrometre and nanometre range for scientific and industrial users. http://www.nanofocus.de

Disclaimer: This announcement neither represents a sales offer, nor a request to submit a purchase offer or to subscribe securities. No public offering of NanoFocus AG securities takes place in connection with the launch of shares in the Open Market section of the Frankfurt Exchange, the 'Entry Standard'. This announcement does not represent a securities prospectus. This announcement and the information contained therein is not intended for direct or indirect circulation within the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan.

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Contacts:
Joachim Sorg Head of Corporate Communications NanoFocus AG Lindnerstraße 98 46149 Oberhausen/Germany

Telefon: +49 (0) 208-62000 -54
Fax: +49 (0) 208-62000 -99
Mobil: +49 (0) 163 764 58 48
E-Mail :
Internet: http://www.nanofocus.de

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