As per June 30, 2009 TOPTICA Photonics AG acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of the high-tech company TILL Photonics GmbH, strengthening the biophotonic valley along the western rim of Munich. TILL is an established and innovative company in biophotonics focused on “livecell

imaging”. Under the leadership of the renowned scientist Prof. Dr. Rainer Uhl (LMU München, BIZ) for more than a decade TILL has developed innovative microscopy solutions, which were used worldwide in the scientific laboratories. This path will be resumed now under the guidance of the new investor TOPTICA.

The consortium that decided to take over TOPTICA’s neighbor TILL Photonics GmbH from Agilent Technologies is completed by the former founder of TILL, Prof. Dr. Rainer Uhl, and the TOPTICA VP Research & Development, Dr. Frank Lison. Like its future parent company TILL develops and offers highly complex products. Both companies can claim technological leadership for some of their products, and both companies address scientific markets. This is seen as a perfect fit. The new management lead by Dr. Frank Lison consists of specialists in biological imaging as well as successful business experts and will guide the now medium-sized company developing innovative imaging technologies to a market-oriented growth path.

Dr. Thomas Weber, President of TOPTICA says: “Notwithstanding the financial link to TOPTICA the new TILL Photonics GmbH will be operated as an independent entity with an independent organization and its own sales channels adapted to the microscopy market. TOPTICA sees itself in the role of a strategic investor who will use its entrepreneural experience to support the growth of the redirected company.”

Dr. Thomas Renner, VP of Sales & Marketing of TOPTICA adds: “The strategic goal of TOPTICA, to become one of the leading laser suppliers for biophotonics will not be affected by this acquisition. In fact, the present and future customers of TOPTICA can expect that the laser technology offered

for microscopically imaging will enjoy an innovative push.”

Finally Dr. Rainer Uhl concludes: “The regained operational degree of freedom within a smaller entity and the strategic support by TOPTICA will allow us to transfer the experience and skills of TILL gained over the last years into the next level of products. I am looking forward to the joint work ahead.”

For further information about TILL Photonics GmbH please see www.till-photonics.com

TOPTICA Photonics AG develops, manufactures, services and distributes technology-leading diode and fiber lasers and laser systems for scientific and industrial applications. Sales and service is offered worldwide through TOPTICA Germany and its subsidiary TOPTICA USA, as well as all through 14 distributors. A key point of the company philosophy is the close cooperation between development and research to meet our customers’ demanding requirements for sophisticated customized system solutions and their subsequent commercialization.