Hamilton Thorne announces vendor partnership agreement with Leica Microsystems

Leading microscope and optical systems producer to distribute Hamilton Thorne's laser products in North America

Hamilton Thorne Ltd. (TSX-V: HTL), a leading provider of advanced laser systems and instruments for the stem cell research and fertility clinic markets, today announces a vendor partnership agreement with Leica Microsystems GmbH of Wetzlar, Germany, a leading global designer and producer of innovative high-tech precision optics systems for the analysis of microstructures. The vendor partnership enables Hamilton Thorne to draw on Leica Microsystems' specialized technical sales group and provides for the companies to work collaboratively to develop sales strategy and exchange leads to increase market penetration. The multi-year agreement provides Leica Microsystems with non-exclusive rights to market and distribute Hamilton Thorne's core laser products, as well as select products currently in development, in North America.

"Leica Microsystems' growing market share in the microscopy industry and its existing installed base of tools in laboratories across North America will dramatically advance our penetration into the regenerative medicine market," says Meg Spencer, Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Thorne. "With Leica Microsystems' specialized and highly trained sales force, this agreement immediately and significantly expands our distribution capabilities in the U.S. and Canada, while allowing our internal sales force to focus on new Hamilton Thorne product launches. This relationship also allows us to develop the sales strategy collaboratively with Leica Microsystems that will ultimately provide us with a greater voice and visibility in labs throughout North America."

"Hamilton Thorne's products are an ideal extension to our already robust offering of optics systems," says Anthony Santerelli, Advanced Fluorescence Product Manager of Leica Microsystems. "As a leader in the use of lasers for regenerative medicine we can now offer Hamilton Thorne's suite of products as an upgrade to our current customers, as well as cross over into the labs of potential customers to provide new solutions for the rapidly growing regenerative medicine and stem cell markets."

The vendor partnership agreement expands the existing strategic relationship, which focused on joint product development, manufacturing of select components for Hamilton Thorne products, and distribution arrangements in certain European markets.

SOURCE Hamilton Thorne Ltd.