SINGAPORE, April 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - Zecotek
Photonics Inc. (TSX-V: ZMS; Frankfurt: W1I; OTCPK:
ZMSPF), a developer of leading-edge photonics
technologies for medical, industrial and scientific markets, is
pleased to provide shareholders with a corporate update on its path
to commercialize its leading-edge photonics technologies. The
Company was founded with the vision to grow shareholder value by
commercializing photonic technologies that offer both superior
performance and economic advantages over competing
technologies. Recent developments in the imaging industry
have brought the Company closer to realizing this vision with
respect to its patented LFs scintillation crystals, solid-state
MAPD photo detectors and associated imaging technologies.
There are three main sectors within the imaging industry which
have now accepted and endorsed the advantages of Lutetium Oxide
based scintillation crystals and recognize them as the crystals of
choice.
Clinical Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Medical
Scanners
Historically, PET OEMs have purchased scintillation crystals
known as BGO and GSO. The BGO and GSO crystals are used in
conjunction with photo-multiplier tubes which are purchased
separately. Readout electronics and data acquisition are
either acquired from another third party or internally developed.
These individual components are then integrated by the OEMs into a
single medical scanner taking considerable time and effort.
With the advancement of PET scanning diagnostics and its relevance
to early treatment, this technology has become indispensable to
hospitals and clinics worldwide, especially in the fast growing
BRIC economies of Brazil,
Russia, India and China.
Today, new PET technology requires denser, faster and brighter
crystals. OEMs are looking to Lutetium Oxide based
scintillation crystals, compact solid-state photo detectors and
faster electronic readout systems for the next generation of PET
scanners. Time of Flight configurations will allow for higher
resolution, and silicon based solid-state photo detectors present
the possibility of integrating PET and MRI technologies into a
single scanning device. At the same time, major OEMs have
recently opted to move away from the purchasing of individual
components (crystals, detectors, electronics), and purchase fully
integrated detector modules made of an array of crystals, an array
of photo-detectors, readout electronics and a data acquisition
board.
Zecotek's strategic partner, Hamamatsu Photonics of Japan, has developed an integrated detector
module and has demonstrated the module abilities to leading PET
OEMs. The modules use Zecotek's patented LFS crystal arrays, which
represent approximately half of the value of the module.
In parallel, Zecotek has integrated its own high performance
detector module (IDM) using its own high performance imaging
components; LFS crystal arrays, MAPD photo-detector arrays, and
fast electronics. The Company is targeting BRIC healthcare markets
and local OEMs, and expects to demonstrate its first commercial IDM
in 2015, with technology transfer to manufacture and sales in 2016.
The first module is being tested by PET developers. The manufacture
and sales of the IDM is anticipated to be done through the
Company's strategic partner Hamamatsu.
Pre-Clinical Pharmaceutical PET Scanners
Based on the same technology as clinical PET medical scanners,
mini-PET scanning devices are used for the development of
pharmaceutical drugs. Small PET scanners work well with
existing phototubes but require new, faster and brighter crystals
such as the Zecotek's LFS crystals. Zecotek has initiated the
production and delivery of LFS crystal arrays specifically designed
for mini-PET scanning devices to OEMs in South Korea and Russia.
High Energy Physics
After discovering the Higgs Bosom in 2012, the Large Hadron
Collider (LHC) was shut down for major upgrades. In early
April 2015 the particle accelerator
was restarted and is now preparing to operate at full power.
The LHC is a large complex operation with many different
experiments launching at different times and at various energy
levels. With the main accelerator now operational other experiments
can now begin preparations for corresponding experiments which will
use specific detector components in conjunction with the required
energy levels. The selection process for components, such as
scintillation crystals and photo detectors, is equally complicated
and scientists at CERN are evaluating competing products to be used
within very specific parameters and energy levels.
The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Experiment at CERN has
successfully tested Zecotek's custom designed LFS-3 plates.
The positive results are due to the LFS-3 plate's density, stopping
power, fast decay time, very good energy resolution, and radiation
hardness. With a break-through plate design, experiments
using LFS-3 plates can benefit from reduced labour and
re-calibration costs associated with single crystal forms and
reduced maintenance costs due to fewer interruptions associated
with the maintenance and refitting of damaged crystals.
The recent news at CERN has focused on the start-up of the LHC
and the previous issues resolved by the lengthy upgrade.
However, the news also spotlights the need for the LHC to use high
performance detection components to achieve its future goals.
This is significant positive news for Zecotek. Decisions,
regarding which detector components will be used for various
experiments, are still pending. No announcements have yet
been made. However, Zecotek's components are being used by a
number of experiments remain a prime candidates for the large
scale, extreme energy experiments. The management and
scientific teams at Zecotek will continue to work with CERN and
build on a significant existing relationship until the selection
process is complete.
About Zecotek
Zecotek Photonics Inc (TSX-V: ZMS;
Frankfurt: W1I) is a photonics technology company developing
high-performance scintillation crystals, photo detectors, positron
emission tomography scanning technologies, 3D auto-stereoscopic
displays, and lasers for applications in medical, high-tech and
industrial sectors. Founded in 2004, Zecotek operates three
divisions: Imaging Systems, Optronics Systems and 3D Display
Systems with labs located in Canada, Korea, Russia, Singapore and U.S.A. The management team is focused on
building shareholder value by commercializing over 50 patented and
patent pending novel photonic technologies directly and through
strategic alliances and joint ventures with leading industry
partners including Hamamatsu Photonics (Japan), the European Organization for Nuclear
Research (Switzerland), Beijing
Opto-Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. (China), NuCare Medical Systems (South Korea), the University of Washington (United States), and National NanoFab Center
(South Korea). For more
information visit www.zecotek.com, follow @zecotek on Twitter and
"like" us in Facebook at www.facebook.com/zecotek.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements
that are based on management's expectations, estimates, projections
and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are
difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends
may differ materially from what may have been stated.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of the content of this news release. If you would like to
receive news from Zecotek in the future please visit the corporate
website at www.zecotek.com.
SOURCE Zecotek Photonics Inc.
