DORC Announces Strategic Partnership With WEFIS for Research and Development of Ophthalmic Instruments

DORC International and WEFIS GmbH have announced a strategic partnership based on an equity investment by DORC. The partnership will focus on research and development aimed at improving performance, efficiency, and usability of cataract surgery instruments.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Germany-based ophthalic instrument maker WEFIS have been a supplier to DORC since 2003 for cataract surgical products and a business partner for DORC in Germany since 2008. The partnership will strengthen DORC’s commitment and investment in the cataract surgical market, and will focus on innovation in cataract surgical products for use with the EVA platform and EQUIPHACO range of disposables for improved performance in cataract surgery, according to DORC.

Existing WEFIS supplier relationships with other companies will be unaffected by this partnership as well as Wefis customer relationships in the German market.

“WEFIS and DORC share a history of innovation in ophthalmic surgery. This partnership will transform our existing supplier relationship to deliver an exciting range of future innovation for retina and cataract surgeons worldwide," Pierre Billardon, CEO, DORC International, said in a company news release.

“DORC is a market leader in retina surgery and WEFIS have a long track record of bringing innovation to cataract surgery. This partnership definitely brings both companies a wealth of opportunities in the dual cataract and retina surgery market ” Dietrich Wernz, CEO of WEFIS, said in the news release. “All the team at WEFIS are excited about the potential for a closer future collaboration whilst remaining committed to excellence in meeting the needs of our existing industry customers.”