Nikon Instruments recently announced that, as of July 1st, its Healthcare Business Unit has reached its 100th year of operations, originating with the 1925 JOICO microscope launch. The company reflected on this milestone product, introduced commemorative branding, announced an international event series, and outlined current applications spanning from traditional microscopy to AI-powered diagnostic systems.
Key Points
- The anniversary marks 100 years since Nikon launched the JOICO microscope in 1925, establishing the foundation for its microscope business that now serves scientific, medical, and industrial applications worldwide.
- To mark the occasion, the company launched anniversary activities including exhibitions at science centers in Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Seoul, and Tokyo, webinars featuring past award recipients, hands-on microscopy events for children, and a commemorative logo with the statement “Accelerating life science with the power of light.”
- Nikon product applications now extend beyond traditional microscopy to include AI-powered diagnostic support systems and contract cell manufacturing solutions aimed at developing therapies for intractable diseases.
This milestone reflects the evolution of optical microscopy from basic visualization tools to integrated systems supporting modern medical research and diagnostics.
The Data
- The JOICO microscope launched in 1925, establishing a 100-year timeline of continuous business operations in the microscopy sector.
- Exhibition dates span from current displays (May 2023 – June 2027 at California Science Center) to upcoming events throughout 2025 in multiple international locations.
- The Healthcare Business Unit provides optical and image-analysis technologies that support drug discovery, pathological diagnostics, and in vitro fertilization procedures.
Industry Context
Over the past 100 years, Nikon has harnessed optical technology to advance its microscopes in response to innovations in science, what scientists strive to discover and observe, and to advance human knowledge.
Nikon Instruments Inc.
In its commemorative announcement, Nikon celebrated microscopy’s role in revealing phenomena that cannot be captured by the naked eye, contributing to scientific and medical progress. Nikon microscopes are employed across research environments at companies and educational institutions, facilitating discoveries in medical and environmental investigations while enabling inspections and analyses.
The company outlined its current focus areas including cell observation technologies that support research and development, drug discovery, pathological diagnostics, and in vitro fertilization. The recent announcement also mentioned newer initiatives in AI-powered diagnostic support systems and contract cell manufacturing aimed at developing therapies for intractable diseases.
