Zecotek, Fujikura Sign Laser Agreement

Zecotek Laser Systems Singapore Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of Zecotek Photonics Inc. of Vancouver, Canada, has signed an agreement with Fujikura Ltd. Japan to develop, manufacture and commercialize Zecotek and Fujikura laser products, components and systems, including Zecotek’s crystal- and fiber-based lasers and Fujikura’s infrared fiber lasers. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies' intellectual property, products and processes in laser and laser-related fiber technologies will be pooled into a joint development, manufacturing and commercializing program solely for that use. The companies said they will retain their respective rights to intellectual property and know-how initially brought into the collaboration, and they will share in any jointly created intellectual property proportional to their relative contribution. The joint effort will initially comprise Zecotek’s solid-state and fiber-based lasers and Fujikura’s newly developed IR fiber lasers. Fujikura is the appointed manufacturer. The companies said the agreement also includes a right of first refusal provision for Fujikura to acquire or take another form of equity position in Zecotek Laser Systems on mutually agreeable terms. Zecotek makes crystals, photodetectors, lasers, imaging and 3-D display technologies, for medical, biotechnology, industrial, nanotechnology and atomic/molecular science applications. Fujikura is a manufacturer of cable products, including optical fibers and flexible printed circuits, for the electrical, electronic equipment, automotive and telecommunications industries.