JENA (dpa-AFX) - The Thuringian medical technology group Carl Zeiss Med itec AG has completely taken over the Dutch ophthalmology specialist Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center (D.O.R.C.), headquartered in Zuidland. The acquisition of 100 percent of the company's shares has been approved by the antitrust authorities, Carl Zeiss Meditec announced on Thursday at the company's headquarters in Jena. D.O.R.C. employs around 800 people.

The shares were acquired from the investment company Eurazeo SE in Paris. With the takeover, the Jena-based company is expanding and supplementing its range of products for equipping ophthalmologists and eye clinics.

In December, the takeover of the Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center was announced for the first half of 2024. The Jena-based MDax company currently employs around 4800 people, including more than 2200 in Germany. Zeiss Meditec specializes in lasers, surgical microscopes, devices and artificial lenses for the treatment of eye diseases.

"Together we are better," commented Markus Weber, CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec, on the merger of the two companies. The aim is to become the global leader in ophthalmology, including in the surgical segment. The CEO of D.O.R.C, Pierre Billardon, referred to his company's four decades of experience. The aim is to drive progress in eye surgery faster than before. The portfolios of the companies are highly complementary./red/DP/men