Press Release

PENTAX Europe GmbH announces the award of the first endowed Chair

On behalf of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, PENTAX Europe GmbH is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Ralf Kiesslich as university professor.

The endowed Chair contract with PENTAX has been drawn up for a 5-year term. From the point of view of content, the performance commitment focuses primarily on funding training and advanced training programmes and scientific research and development work with the emphasis on molecular endoscopy and confocal endomicroscopy. The endowed Chair creates the temporal and financial resources required to generate new scientific discoveries, identify innovative technologies and/or fields of application in order to keep pace with competing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

The choice of confocal endomicroscopy and molecular endoscopy as the principal technological themes stems from the joint history of the Johannes Gutenberg University Clinic in Mainz and PENTAX Europe GmbH. The first Medical Education Centre (MEC) specialising in confocal endomicroscopy was founded in 2006 as a joint venture. Since then, the MEC Mainz has succeeded in establishing an outstanding national and international reputation for itself.

Since becoming part of the Hoya Corporation on 31.03.2008, PENTAX Europe GmbH has focused increasingly on medical innovations. The analysis and assessment of strategic options on a technological level and the academic advancement of endoscopy in general are the main priorities. By donating this endowed Chair, the first of its kind for the company, PENTAX wishes to provide a sound financial backing to accommodate this project. Further partnerships may follow over the medium term.