Olympus Corporation has laid out its plans to make rapid progress in its medical business and the President and CEO, Yasuo Takeuchi said that it aims to achieve growth and profitability by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. The med tech leader’s approach involves greater focus on gastrointestinal, urological, and respiratory care solutions for chronic diseases that will increasingly impact the global population, as well as more focused investment in next-generation technologies that will enhance patient care pathways.

Three major principles guide the company’s approach:

1. Focus the portfolio on disease states where Olympus can maximize impact
Olympus will focus on the disease states where it can maximize its positive impact, including those targeted by its Gastrointestinal, Urology, and Respiratory business areas. Aging populations worldwide face increasing levels of chronic disease that present unmet needs matching Olympus’ competitive strengths, as well as opportunities to continue providing solutions for colorectal cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urological stone disease, urinary disease, and lung cancer. Other medical areas will remain important business components and support Olympus’ goal of striving for greater profitability, contributing to the company-wide goal of at least 5-6% annual growth and an operating profit margin of 20% or higher.

2. Shape the future by investing in new ways to enhance the standard of care
Olympus will concentrate on a care pathway-oriented approach, procedural optimization, and next-generation solutions development. The company’s innovation pipeline includes plans to optimize its endoscope line through complementary single-use scopes; integrate computer-assisted diagnosis, cloud, and endoscopy workflow management technologies; and explore endoluminal therapy breakthroughs.

3. Enable Olympus to compete even more effectively on a global scale
The company’s approach includes enabling factors, such as an expanded global R&D network, stronger Medical and Scientific Affairs, and a more centralized Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs function. Merger and acquisition momentum is expected to stay strong via the Olympus business development function, which drove significant acquisitions over the past 2 years. Additionally, the new Olympus wholly owned corporate venture capital fund will prioritize early-stage investments and aim to stimulate next-generation innovations. Olympus’ new direction comes on the back of strong half-year figures, including a record operating profit margin of 18.5% and strong year-on-year growth of 31%, as announced on November 5. Medical business revenue is expected to reach a record high for fiscal year 2022. Olympus also reiterated its goal of operating with a 20%-plus profit margin and a midterm annual growth rate of 5-6% in fiscal year 2023.

“We are witnessing stunning changes to the global healthcare industry due to the aging of populations, the rise of chronic diseases, integration of digital technologies, health and biotech advancements and a growing emphasis on less-invasive treatments,” said Takeuchi, "With the successful transformation of Olympus since 2019, we have become a global medtech leader. Today we have unveiled a unifying value creation direction that is designed to elevate the standard of care, optimize the treatment journey for patients and healthcare professionals, and benefit all stakeholders, while accelerating our ability to deliver on the profitability and growth targets we have set.”