David Moreira Appointed Vice President of Marketing, Menicon America.

-Menicon focusing on expanding its presence in the custom contact lens market-

Menicon Co., Ltd. announced on July 20 the appointment of David Moreira as Vice President of Marketing for Menicon America Inc. Moreira will report to Jonathan Jacobson, President of Menicon America.

Moreira joins Menicon with over 20 years' experience in the contact lens and ophthalmic industry, having worked in a variety of positions with several leading companies, including Bausch & Lomb, Paragon Vision Sciences and Advanced Vision Research. During this time, Moreira played a key leadership role in launching new products, building worldwide brand awareness and generating sales and share growth through laboratory and retail distribution networks. For the last four years, Moreira has led North American sales and marketing efforts for the Dutch Ophthalmic Research Center, a leading innovator of premium ophthalmic micro-surgical instruments, equipment and surgical liquids.

Moreira has strong global expertise in strategic product marketing, sales management and directing distributor efforts. He has also demonstrated outstanding skills in brand management, medical marketing communications and orchestrating the successful introduction of new products worldwide.

Moreira will be based in the U.S. while being responsible for Menicon America's marketing efforts including the recently acquired Lagado Corporation business.

"I am extremely delighted to be joining the Menicon team," said Moreira. "The recent acquisition of Lagado makes this is a very exciting time to join Menicon, a growing and innovative industry leader. The Lagado business opens new doors for Menicon and I look forward to working with the team to combine our strengths in order to better serve the needs of the custom lab channel and specialty contact lens fitter community."

Jacobson, Menicon Co.'s General Manager, Global Business Strategies & Operations, commented: "We are very happy to welcome Moreira on board. Moreira's experience in the custom contact lens materials and related lens care market will play a critical role in expanding our business in the Americas and worldwide. We look forward to his contributions."

Menicon Acquires Lagado Corporation

Nagoya, Japan, 16 June 2010 - Menicon Co., Ltd. announced on June 16 that Menicon and Lagado Corporation based in Colorado, USA, reached an agreement for Lagado to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Menicon America Inc., effective as of June 14, 2010.

Lagado will continue to operate from its current location in Englewood, Colorado, as a supplier of contact lens materials to custom gas permeable (GP) and soft contact lens manufacturers. The acquisition by Menicon will enable Lagado to further improve its product range and enhance the service level to Lagado's existing customers worldwide, and will help Menicon expand its global presence in the custom contact lens market. Menicon will expand its product offerings to custom manufacturers by adding the Lagado product line to Menicon Z and other Menicon polymer products.

Lagado's R&D innovation is well known and respected in the industry and it is Menicon's intention to maintain and further intensify the material R&D activities at Lagado under the direction of Bill Hoffman, noted polymer chemist and co-founder of Lagado. Hoffman will remain as a consultant to Lagado for the next five years.

"Menicon's deep commitment to high-performance oxygen permeable contact lenses is one of the key reasons for expansion into the custom contact lens materials field. Lagado provides a base from which to develop new and innovative polymers for custom lens applications, and creates for Menicon an expanded connection to the community of specialist contact lens labs and fitters in North America and beyond. It is not Menicon's intention to restart lens manufacturing in North America. Rather, Menicon plans to deliver exceptional services and technology to the custom lens laboratories as a lens material supplier as well as a dependable business partner," commented Toshio Matsushima, Senior Executive Officer, Menicon Co.

Hoffman, Lagado co-founder, commented on the acquisition by Menicon: "We see this as a tremendous opportunity for Lagado to expand our service and product offerings to all our existing customers. Combining Lagado and Menicon's polymer science experience and capabilities will take Lagado R&D into new directions. It will also help take Lagado products into new markets where we haven't had a presence."

The management team to lead Lagado forward will be headed by Jonathan Jacobson, President of Menicon America. Jacobson added, "I am pleased to welcome Lagado Corporation into Menicon as I am very enthusiastic about Lagado's products, and am confident that with Menicon's additional resources, coupled with Lagado's existing customer base and product range, we will be able to serve the needs of the custom lab community and specialty contact lens fitters well into the future."

Menicon Partners with Optimed in Exclusive Distribution Agreement

From left to right: Mr. Roy Dave, Director Optimed, Dr. Hidenari Tanaka, Menicon President, Dr. Trusit Dave, Director Optimed, Mr. Toshio Matsushima, Senior Executive Officer Menicon.

Menicon secure exclusive distribution rights to Optimed's innovative patient education software platforms CAPTIV8online and i-Vue WEB for Japan and Taiwan.

Nagoya, Japan, 10 February 2010 - Menicon Co., Ltd. announces the expansion of Optimed products in the Asian market by becoming the exclusive distributor in Japan and Taiwan.

Menicon will offer eye-care professionals in Asia the opportunity to grow their practices using Optimed's CAPTIV8online communication service and i-Vue WEB content driven digital signage software.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Trusit Dave, Director of Optimed said: "I am delighted to have a global company like Menicon to partner with in Japan and Taiwan. Menicon's strong presence in these markets will allow us to present our technology to a large base of potential users."

CAPTIV8online is a web-based 3D animation communication software that can be used chair-side to draw over video in order to upgrade and enhance communication with patients. Uniquely, this technology also enables consumers to view the content in their homes and share the content with colleagues using the well-established principles of viral marketing. CAPTIV8online also enables patients to request appointments with practices and thereby generates incoming 'leads'.

i-Vue WEB is a commercial grade digital signage software that is powered by Optimed's 3D animations. Furthermore, i-Vue WEB enables playlists and personalised messages to be 'pushed' to many installations remotely.
I-Vue WEB offers practitioners the ability to display 'live' news and weather feeds in order to present high quality information at the point of purchase.

"As people around the world increasingly adopt the use of social networking and the internet into their daily lives, Menicon sees the need and potential to harness the capabilities of i-Vue Web and CAPTIV8online to explain complex information about eye health to its target audiences", commented Mr. Toshio Matsushima, Senior Executive Officer, Menicon Co. Ltd. "/The idea that a picture is worth a thousand words can now be multiplied exponentially with the easy re-distribution of dynamic digital content to help patients make informed decisions about their eye health."

Menicon appoints Global Sales Manager for Disposable Lens Products

Menicon focusing on expanding its disposable lens business globally.

Nagoya, Japan, 15 January 2010Menicon Co., Ltd. announces the appointment of Graham Lockie as Global Sales Manager for Disposable Lens Products with immediate effect. Lockie will report to Jonathan Jacobson, Menicon's General Manager, Global Strategies & Operations.

Lockie joins Menicon with nearly 20 years' experience in the soft contact lens and lens care business, having worked in a variety of positions with several leading companies, including Allergan (now AMO) and the Eyecare Division of Biocompatibles Ltd.

Following the acquisition of Biocompatibles Eyecare by Coopervision, Lockie joined Clearlab, the Singapore-based soft contact lens manufacturer, as Global Commercial Director where he succeeded in dramatically growing the business in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Clearlab's Research and Development was acquired by Menicon in 2007 at which time Lockie left to launch his own company, acting as a commercial consultant for several optical businesses.

Lockie's key areas of expertise are centered around launching and developing new products and businesses, leading global sales operations, and developing and managing distributors.

Mr Toshio Matsushima, Senior Executive Officer for Menicon Co. Ltd, commented: "We are pleased to welcome Graham to Menicon. His knowledge and experience will be invaluable in expanding our soft contact lens business in the global markets. His incorporation will not only contribute to increasing our existing "Menicon PremiO" Silicone Hydrogel lens business, but also is part of Menicon's preparation for the launch of future advanced products such as "Menicon 1day Flat Pack" in the global markets".

Mr. Graham Lockie added: "I'm delighted to now be joining Menicon to help develop and commercialise their disposable lenses across the world. Looking at Menicon's future products, this is an exciting and challenging role, and I look forward to working with the global Menicon team to make this a success"

Menicon acquires David Thomas Contact Lenses Ltd., Major U.K. Custom Lens Manufacturer

"Mr. Toshio Matsushima (right), Senior Executive Officer, Menicon Company Limited, and Mr. Jonathan Jacobson (left), General Manager, Global Strategy & Operations, welcome Mr. William Thomas (center), Managing Director, David Thomas Contact Lenses Ltd., into the Menicon Group of companies."

Nagoya, Japan, 19 November, 2009

The deal provides a base of operations for Menicon's expansion in the U.K.

Menicon Co., Ltd. (Menicon) and David Thomas Contact Lenses Ltd. (DTCL) announced on November 19 that the two companies reached agreement on November 16, 2009 for Menicon to acquire 100% of the ownership of DTCL. The acquisition of DTCL will enable Menicon to build on DTCL's successful business in the U.K. and abroad. Menicon has an important presence in the European rigid gas permeable lens and lens care market, though not in the U.K. The existing directors and staff will remain with DTCL and customers will continue to receive the same levels of service as before. All existing DTCL products will continue to be available and, over time, other products from Menicon will be introduced through DTCL, including Menicon's growing range of soft contact lenses.

Mr. William Thomas, Managing Director of DTCL, commented: "We are very excited and pleased about the acquisition as it will bring additional skills, expertise and resources to enable DTCL to continue growing and innovating in the custom contact lens field. We see the acquisition as a new beginning, which will strengthen DTCL and make available to our customers an exciting new range of products."

Dr. Hiderani Tanaka, President of Menicon, added: "We have watched David Thomas Contact Lenses evolve into a leading specialty lens manufacturer in the U.K. and we see great potential to work together with DTCL to grow Menicon's business in this very important market. The quality of its products and the business model fits very well into our company culture. We are extremely pleased to be able to work with William Thomas and his excellent team in Northampton to further grow their specialty business while taking on the responsibility for growing Menicon's U.K. business. I am confident that both Menicon and DTCL will benefit substantially from the synergy of working together as part of the same family. "

Dr. Tanaka Appointed as Honorary Consul-General by Republic of Singapore

NAGOYA, Japan - Dr. Hidenari Tanaka, president and CEO of Menicon Co., Ltd. and president of the Japan Contact Lens Association, was appointed as Singapore's Honorary Consul-General in Nagoya, Japan, by the government of the Republic of Singapore. The appointment was effective April 20, 2009. The Singapore Consulate-General will be located at Menicon's corporate headquarters in Nagoya.

Dr. Tanaka, an ophthalmologist by training, will serve as Honorary Consul-General to represent the interest of the country of Singapore and its people in central Japan.

In addition, Dr. Tanaka's office will be handling consular matters. Dr. Tanaka and the Menicon Co., Ltd. are proud of this appointment, given that the Nagoya region is Japan's most important area after the areas of Tokyo and Osaka where Singapore is represented by their own offices of Embassy and General Consulate respectively.

"I am very gratified to have been selected for this post," Dr. Tanaka said. "I look forward to doing my utmost to strengthen social, cultural and commercial ties between Japan and Singapore." Singapore is the site of Menicon's new state-of-the-art research and manufacturing facility, which will produce Menicon's new daily disposable contact lenses, scheduled to be launched in a few years.

Menicon acquires Rose K, the world's largest brand for keratoconus

The new acquisition expands Menicon's presence in the global GP contact lens market.

Nagoya, Japan, 15 October 2008Menicon Co., Ltd. and Rose K International Limited announce that the two companies reached an agreement for Menicon to acquire 100% of the ownership of Rose K, effective as of 1 October 2008. With this acquisition, Dr. Paul Rose and Mr. Ian Jennings, founders and owners of Rose K International Limited, who have grown the Rose K business from little New Zealand to a global business that has established the Rose K lens as the market leader for keratoconus, will join the global Menicon group and continue to act as the main figures of the global Rose K operations. Menicon will allocate a substantial amount of resources to further grow the Rose K business world-wide, while maintaining and reinforcing the business relation with the existing labs. With the new acquisition, Menicon continue its global expansion on the GP contact lens segment.

Dr. Hiderani Tanaka, President of Menicon Co., Ltd, commented: "Over the years, we have seen the growth of Rose K to become the number 1 brand for keratoconus, and we have tremendous respect for Dr. Rose, Mr. Jennings, the Rose-K brand and all their labs and suppliers. The quality of its products and the business model fits very well into our company culture. We are extremely pleased to be able to work with Dr. Rose, Mr. Jennings, and their labs for the care of our Keratoconus patients. I am sure that both brands of Menicon and Rose K will substantially benefit from the synergy of working together as part of the same family. We see this new acquisition as an excellent opportunity to expand our presence in the global GP contact lens market"

"Dr Paul Rose and Mr Ian Jennings, founders & owners of Rose K International Limited, added: "We have developed Rose K to a level that now requires the diverse skills, expertise and resources that a growing multi-national company like Menicon can bring to Rose K lenses. Now, we can provide even better services to our customers including all the labs, eye care practitioners, and patients, and expand the Rose K brand to bring its benefits to many more keratoconus patients worldwide. We see the acquisition as a new beginning, which can involve us in an ongoing capacity. We are looking forward to the new challenges as well as to working with the Menicon Team and the current companies that have made Rose K the brand it is today.

Menicon undertakes with the Novovision clinic a paediatric myopia control clinical trial

Nagoya, Japan Although previous studies suggest that orthokeratology contact lens wear slows the axial length growth of the eye in children with progressing myopia, some limitations in the methodology employed have been evident. Using a rigorous study design and precise optical measuring instruments, Menicon Co., Ltd and the Novovision Clinic in Madrid are undertaking the Myopia Control with Orthokeratology contact lenses in Spain (MCOS) study to compare the axial length growth between white European myopic children wearing orthokeratology contact lenses (OK) and distance single-vision spectacles (SP) over a 2 year period. In this prospective, single-centre clinical trial, sixty two subjects 6 to 12 years of age, and with myopia of -0.75 to -4.00 D and astigmatism = 1.00 D were randomly allocated wear OK or SP correction. Measurements of axial length (using partial coherence interferometry, Zeiss IOLMaster), anterior chamber depth, corneal topography, cycloplegic refraction and visual acuity are being performed at 6 month intervals. To date, no subjects have withdrawn from the study, no adverse events were evident and no contact lens fitting modifications were required in the OK group. The MCOS study offers a number of notable features: a prospective design; well matched samples and high resolution ocular biometry measures, which collectively should elucidate whether OK contact lens wear is a feasible method of myopia control.

"The MCOS study aims, using a rigorous study design and precise optical measuring instruments, at elucidating whether orthokeratology lens wear slows the axial length growth of the eye in children with progressing myopia. This study is of special relevance taking into account that the prevalence of myopia has increased substantially over recent decades and now is approaching 10-25% and 60-80% in industrialized societies of the West and East, respectively", commented Dr Jacinto Santodomingo, Global Professional Relations Manager for Menicon Co., Ltd

"We have been fitting orthokeratology lenses in our clinic for several years, during which we observed that myopia tends to progress less in children wearing orthokeratology lenses compared to children wearing other modalities of visual correction. We are delighted to participate in this unique clinical trial, which should proof whether we are correct about our preliminary observations", added Mr César Villa, Director of Optometry at Novovision.

Menicon signs joint venture agreement with Wenzhou Medical College in China

Menicon Co., Ltd. announces an equity participation agreement effective as of 9 June 2007 with the Vision Science Research & Development Institute of Wenzhou Medical College, located in Wenzhou City, Zheng Jiang Province, China.

This joint venture's main activities will be manufacturing, wholesale and retail sales of rigid gas permeable contact lenses (RGP) for the growing Chinese market. Menicon will transfer necessary technologies and equipment for the joint venture to be operational in August 2007.

This new joint venture arrangement will support contact lens education and research such as the Chinese myopia control national study, and provide additional high quality product options and technical assistance to Chinese contact lens fitters. As one of the first activities of the joint venture, Menicon is planning to donate the hyper-DK GP lens "Menicon Z" as a charity for 600 children in the region.

Dr. Hidenari Tanaka, Menicon's president, commented: "We are excited about exploring this new business opportunity through the joint venture arrangement with Wenzhou Medical College to broaden the RGP market in China."

Menicon launches Menicon PremiO, the company's new advanced silicone hydrogel contact lens

Menicon Co., Ltd. announces the launch of Menicon PremiO, the company's new advanced silicone hydrogel contact lens. Since the world's first silicone hydrogel contact lens material patent was granted to Menicon in 1979, the company's R&D has carried out extensive work to develop possibly the world's best silicone hydrogel contact lens: Menicon PremiO with MeniSilk™ & Nanogloss™ technology.

The lens features a well balanced combination of oxygen permeability (129 x 10^-9 mLO2sec^-1 mL^-1mmHg ^-1) and water content (40%). The MeniSilk™ & Nanogloss™ technology ensures highly controlled smooth surface reproducibility together with excellent wettability and remarkable moisture.

Menicon obtained CE mark on the new Menicon PremiO lens for daily wear and up to seven days extended wear on a 2 weeks replacement schedule.

The world's official launch of Menicon PremiO will take place on 1 June 2007 in Manchester, UK, coinciding with the British Contact Lens Association Conference.

MENICON launches Menigame: a web site-based contact lens educational game for children

Menicon Co., Ltd., the world's largest GP manufacturer, announced the launch of Menigame www.menigame.com, the first web site-based contact lens educational platform for children 6-12 years of age.

Menigame, which was developed with the help of highly qualified psicopedagogists specialized on children needs, educate children and parents about the need for regular eyecare examinations and principles of contact lens use through five carefully structured short and dynamic videos. The chapter's dialogues are subtitled to facilitate their understanding by handicap children.

Menigame also has four interactive games for children to learn, while they play, keys aspects of successful contact lens wear. With this game, kids and early teens can have a great fun while learning about contact lenses.

Menigame is currently available in English and French, but it will be available in other languages soon. Following the recent launch of the Menicon Z Junior, a novel concept of GP contact lens wear for children, Menicon is increasing safe and successful long-term Hyper-Dk Menicon Z GP contact wear in children.

Menicon launches Menifocal™ Z, a concentric bifocal GP lens, in the U.S

Menicon America, Inc. announced the launch of its Menifocal™ Z in the U.S. though Lens Dynamics, Inc., effective as of 7 December 2006. This patented GP concentric bifocal lens design features distance-center/peripheral-near front surface optics for excellent vision at all distances.

The unique front surface distance-near transition zone has been carefully designed to eliminate ghost images. The spherical base curve makes the lens easy to fit and comfortable, and allows the correction of small to moderate astigmatisms without inducing corneal moulding. Research studies have shown that Menifocal™ Z, manufactured in hyper-Dk Menicon Z material, can be safely worn for daily wear or up to 30 days of continuous wear

The Menifocal™ Z is available through Lens Dynamics Inc. or its distributors in the U.S. For inquiries, please contact Lens Dynamics, Inc. at 1-(800)228-2691 or Kaz Murakami, President, Menicon America Inc. at kazmurakami@menicon.com.

New MeniCare™ lens care system for GP lenses in the US

Menicon America, Inc. has recently launched the new MeniCare™GP lens care system for GP lenses in the U.S., replacing CLARIS® products. The MeniCare™GP lens care system is especially recommended for hyper Dk GP lenses or plasma-treated GP lenses such as Menicon Z TM material lenses.

The MeniCare™ GP lens care system consists of two solutions: the MeniCare™ GP Cleaning, Disinfecting and Storage (CDS) solution, available in a 4 oz. container, and the MeniCare™GP Wetting and Rewetting Drop (WRW), available in a 1 oz. container.


The CDS solution must be fully rinsed from the lenses before using the wetting drop. Both MeniCare™ GP solutions are preserved with benzyl alcohol which ensures effective lens cleaning and wettability for safe and comfortable GP lens wear. MeniCare™ GP solutions do not contain potentially cytotoxic preservative components such as polyquad, thimerosal, chlorhexidine, BAK, or polyaminopropyl biguanide to prevent toxic or sensitivity reactions.

MeniCare™GP lens care solutions are now available to GP patients through eye care professionals or Menicon Authorized Labs' Direct Patient Order program. Free Starter Kits of MeniCare™GP are also available to eye care professionals through Menicon Laboratories. The MeniCare™GP Starter Kit includes MeniCare™ GP CDS 1 oz., MeniCare™ GP WRW 0.33 oz., and a sample of the popular Menicon cylinder-shaped lens case for GP lenses.


For more information regarding MeniCare™GP, eye care professionals may ask their Menicon labs or contact Menicon at 1-800-MENICON (636-4266).

MeniconTinue: the first contact lens approved for up to 30 days of continuous wear in Japan

Menicon Co., Ltd., the world's largest GP manufacturer, received Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare approval for up to 30 days of continuous wear of its MeniconTinue GP contact lens, effective as of 25 October 2006.

MeniconTinue contact lenses are manufactured in tisilfocon A material, which is commercially known as Menicon Z outside Japan. Tisilfocon A has the highest oxygen permeability of all commercially available GP contact lens materials (163 Dk following ISO 9913-1).

This is the first time in the history of Japan that approval for up to 30 days of continuous wear of contact lenses has been granted for normal eyes, whereas such approval has already been widely given to other contact lenses in the USA and Europe.

Menicon obtained CE marking and FDA approval for up to 30 days of continuous wear for its Menicon Z lenses in January 2001 and July 2002, respectively. With this new approval, Menicon intends to launch this product as Japan's first ever 30 days continuous wear contact lens early next year.

MENICON Launches a Professional Website

Menicon Co., Ltd., the world's largest GP manufacturer, announced the launch of its new Professional Website http://professional.menicon.com Following the launch of Menicon's new end-user website last year www.menicon.com, the new broadband Professional Website provides eye care practitioners with the ability to obtain product information, technical assistance, and company news. It also offers a source for the search of contact lens-related images, scientific articles, internet links, and industry events. A learning centre consisting of contact lens courses will be included in this site shortly.

MENICON opens a new office in Madrid

Menicon Co., Ltd., following expansion plans and to provide better service to consumers in Spain, announced the opening of a new office in Madrid which will provide support in all areas of operations including logistics, strategy, marketing, professional services, and sells to the Spanish subsidiary, effective as 1 September 2006. Dr Jacinto Santodomingo, Global Professional Services for Menicon Co., Ltd, has been appointed as the new Manager for this office, while he maintains his position and responsibilities with Menicon Co., Ltd.

With the recent announcement of the long-term strategic alliance between Menicon and NKL, the world and Dutch's largest GP manufacturers, respectively, the office in Madrid will play a very important role in the introduction of 12 new lens designs of GP lenses from NKL in Menicon Z material, the world's only Hyper DK GP approved by the FDA for up to 30 days continuous wear, in the Spanish market over the next few months.

Menicon & Toyota Develop Advanced Composting Process

Menicon Co., Ltd., Japan's largest manufacturer of contact lenses, and Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced joint development of an efficient and environmentally-friendly manure composting process for the livestock industry called "resQ45". The new process uses a new enzymatic agent and a thermophilic bacteria created based on Menicon's degradation enzymes and microorganisms. Ingredients used in the process will be manufactured and sold by Toyota Roof Garden Co., Ltd., a TMC subsidiary. Sales to limited areas will begin on July 1 through the livestock feed sales channels of Toyota Tsusho Corporation (Toyota Tsusho).

Eighty-nine million tons of livestock manure are produced annually in Japan. "resQ45" will help reduce the burden on livestock farmers, who, under the Law Concerning the Appropriate Treatment and Promotion of the Utilization of Livestock Manure, which went into full effect in November 2004, are prohibited from leaving livestock manure in open-air mounds or within insufficiently lined pits.

Initially, the "resQ45" will be marketed to cattle farmers, with sales expected to be 1 billion yen after three years. Sales after five years are estimated at 2 billion yen, once "resQ45" has been adapted for use by pig and poultry farmers.

Menicon, TMC and Toyota Tsusho share the belief that positioning the "resQ45" manure composting process as a new environmental business will contribute to the reduction of global warming and farmland improvement, and to the realization of a resource-recycling-oriented society.

This is one of Menicon's activities to expand the company's core competencies to new business areas based on the strengths and expertise already exhibited by Menicon.

Menicon Appoints General Manager of Global Sales

Menicon Co., Ltd. announced the appointment of Ms. Jeanne Bear as General Manager, Global Sales Operations & Business Development, effective as of 1st June 2006. Ms. Bear, most recently with SynergEyes, Inc., as director of marketing, formerly worked as vice president of international sales and business development for Paragon Vision Sciences for over 16 years. She is actively involved with the European Federation of Contact Lens Industries (EFCLIN) and serves on the board of directors for that organization.

Menicon, which also recently announced a strategic alliance with NKL, a large contact lens manufacturer based in The Netherlands, continues expansion activities designed to build global presence of its contact lens business.

MENICON and NKL agree to long-term strategic alliance

NKL B.V. and Menicon Co., Ltd. the Dutch and world's largest GP manufacturers, respectively agreed to collaborate in all areas of operations including R&D, manufacturing, logistics, marketing and sales on a global basis.

NKL will begin manufacturing and distributing contact lenses with Menicon materials as well as distributing Menicon's Lens Care Products in the Dutch market. Menicon will also begin distributing NKL's contact lenses through its European subsidiaries in France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

To assure operational collaboration and a long-term strategic alliance, the companies have agreed that Menicon participates in the shareholdings of NKL. Mr Henk van Bruggen current Managing Director of NKL - will remain as Managing Director of the company.

"This strategic alliance will bring enormous opportunities to NKL", said Mr. Henk van Bruggen.

"Menicon has now entered the second largest GP market after Japan". "The collaboration with NKL is a very important step forward for our expansion in Europe", said Dr. Hidenari Tanaka - President of Menicon Co., Ltd NKL B.V. and Menicon Co., Ltd. the Dutch and world's largest GP manufacturers, respectively - agreed to collaborate in all areas of operations including R&D, manufacturing, logistics, marketing and sales on a global basis.

NKL will begin manufacturing and distributing contact lenses with Menicon materials as well as distributing Menicon's Lens Care Products in the Dutch market. Menicon will also begin distributing NKL's contact lenses through its European subsidiaries in France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

To assure operational collaboration and a long-term strategic alliance, the companies have agreed that Menicon participates in the shareholdings of NKL. Mr Henk van Bruggen – current Managing Director of NKL - will remain as Managing Director of the company.

"This strategic alliance will bring enormous opportunities to NKL", said Mr. Henk van Bruggen.

"Menicon has now entered the second largest GP market after Japan". "The collaboration with NKL is a very important step forward for our expansion in Europe", said Dr. Hidenari Tanaka - President of Menicon Co., Ltd

MENICON appoints New President in its European Headquarters

Menicon Co., Ltd. announced management changes in its European Head Office - Menicon Holdings Europe (MHE). Mr Toshio Matsushima - Executive Officer and General Manager of Global Business of Menicon Co., Ltd., - is appointed as President of the European subsidiary, effective from 12th April 2006. Mr Pierre Vilcot - former President of MHE - remains as Honorary Chairman of MHE assisting the new president for another year. Mr Matsushima maintains his current duties and position in Menicon Co., Ltd. with two bases of activities, in Japan and Europe.

Menicon Holdings Europe was created in 2004 as the Operational and Financial European Headquarters of the subsidiaries in France, Germany, Spain, UK, and Menicon Pharma - the company's lens care product manufacturing plant.

"Menicon is grateful to Mr. Vilcot's superb performance as former President of MHE. The growth of MHE particularly in France reaching over 70 % of the GP market share is highly attributed to his leadership" - said Mr Toshio Matsushima.
 
"Menicon is planning to launch a series of new products in Europe and Japan over the next three to five years to cover a wider range of the contact lens market. With the introduction of these new products supported by the new management, Menicon in Europe will go through necessary changes to be more competitive and diversified. Our aim is to double the revenue in the next three years", said Dr Hidenari Tanaka - President of Menicon Co., Ltd.

MENICON agrees to license 66 Vision-Tech to manufacture and distribute Menicon's

Many other areas for possible collaborations between the two companies exist

Menicon Co., Ltd. and 66 Vision-Tech Co., Ltd - the largest Chinese manufacturer and distributor of ophthalmic instruments - have entered into a licensing agreement for 66 Vision-Tech to manufacture Menicon's "Meniflex" IOL in its manufacturing site in Suzhou, China. Menicon will provide 66 Vision-Tech with technical assistance. In return, 66 Vision-Tech will pay a royalty to Menicon for five years for the manufacture and distribution of "Meniflex" using its own distribution network throughout China. Manufacturing under this license will to be operational from 2008.

"This is one of the very important strategic steps forward to enter the giant Chinese market", said Dr Hidenari Tanaka - President of Menicon Co., Ltd. He also acknowledges that "there are many other areas for possible collaborations between the two companies".

Continuous wear of the Menifocal Z bifocal GP lens: a promising option for presbyopic correction

Results of a study conducted at the University of Melbourne in Australia show the Menicon Menifocal Z alternating vision, concentric, bifocal, GP lens can be safely worn for up to 30 days of continuous wear.

Researchers followed 35 existing GP wearers over a six-month period, 27 of whom completed the study.

Adverse responses and lens binding were minimal and no significant increase in corneal staining, vascularization or superior palpebral conjunctival papillae was noted.

They concluded that the hyper-Dk tisilfocon A material allows for safe wear of the lenses on a continuous-wear basis.

The study appears in the December issue of Optometry and Vision Science (Lakkis C, Goldenberg SA, Woods CA. Investigation of the performance of the Menifocal Z gas-permeable bifocal contact lens during continuous wear. Optom Vis Sci 2005;82:1022-1029).

MENICON Co., Ltd. has established a Global R&D Strategy Office in Singapore.

Menicon's new Global R&D Strategy Office will be the base for
the Globalization of the company's R&D activities.

Menicon Co., Ltd. has established a Global R&D Strategy Office (GR&DSO) <*> in Singapore, effective September 1st 2005. Menicon's R&D activities have been concentrated in Japan. However, the GR&DSO is now expanding Menicon's global R&D activities by beginning collaborations with numerous universities and institutions in Asia-Pacific, USA and Europe. Dr Mouad Lamrrani, former General Manager of the European R&D Branch Office, has been appointed as General Manager of the GR&DSO, and will relocate to Singapore.

"Menicon's new Global R&D Strategy Office will be the base for the Globalization of the company's R&D activities", said Dr Hidenari Tanaka- President of Menicon Co., Ltd.

<*> Menicon Global R&D Strategy Office.
Dr Mouad Lamrrani
Nanyang Polytechnic

180 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8
Singapore 569830
Tel: +65 6841 6388
Fax: +65 6841 1803
Email: meniconrd@menicon.com.sg
URL: www.menicon.com

MENICON launches 'MENICON 1 day', a daily disposable contact lens, in Japan

This is an important step forward for Menicon's future business.

Launched "Menicon 1day", a daily disposable soft contact lens in the Japanese market on July 1st 2005. Menicon 1day is manufactured by liquid edge moulding technology on 55% water content Ocufilcon D material resulting in a lens with exceptional dimensional stability and smooth edges. The mid water, tinted blue content lens provides excellent image quality, lasting comfort, easy handling and the convenience of wearing a new pair of lenses everyday.

While Menicon has been the market leader in Japan's RGP and soft conventional contact lens segments for more than 50 years, disposable lens segments have emerged during the last 10 years increasing the contact lens market three-fold. The Japanese contact lens market is the world's second largest after the USA. With the launch of "Menicon 1day", the company's first ever daily disposable contact lens, Menicon has entered the world's fastest growing segment.

"This is a very important step forward for the expansion of our future business", said Dr Hidenari Tanaka- President of Menicon Co., Ltd.

MENICON launches MeniCare© Soft and MeniTears©

By adding two new products, Menicon has now completed its range of soft and RGP contact care products.

Menicon launched two new contact lens care products, MeniCare© Soft and MeniTears© in June 2005 during the British Contact Lens Association 29th Clinical Conference and Exhibition in Brighton, United Kingdom. Initially, these two products are marketed in Europe and Asia and will be soon sold in the rest of the global markets.

MeniCare© Soft with Comfortec™ is a polyhexanide-based multipurpose disinfecting solution combined with four ideally balanced complementary agents. It is compatible with all soft contact lenses and provides a high spectrum of antimicrobial activity, low toxicity, and excellent comfort.

MeniTears© is a preservative-free lubricant eye drop, packed in single doses, which provides instant relief, continuous hydration and end-of-day comfort to contact lens wearers. The mechanism of action of MeniTears relies on its wetting agent, carboxymethylcellulose, and its patented hypotonic electrolyte formula. MeniTears eye drops are recommended for all soft, rigid gas permeable and silicone hydrogel contact lenses. MeniTears is manufactured by Advanced Vision Research, an internationally recognized ophthalmic drug manufacturer, which was made possible as a result of the strategic alliance between the two companies.

"The launch of these products is an important addition to our existing line of Menicon products to enable us to reach a wider variety of consumers", said Dr Hidenari Tanaka- President of Menicon Co., Ltd.p>

Menicon now has a complete range of contact lens care products (i.e. MeniCare Soft, MeniTears, MeniCare Plus and Progent) for all soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses.

MENICON Co. Ltd. has established a new subsidiary- Menicon Mandarin Asia Pte. Ltd. in Singapore

With the establishment of this company, Menicon has a foothold in the Asia-Pacific region for the further expansion of their business.

Menicon Co. Ltd. has established a new subsidiary- Menicon Mandarin Asia Pte. Ltd. <*> in Singapore which will be operational from July 1st 2005. Menicon Mandarin Asia businesses include imports and distributions of Menicon's products in the Asia-Pacific region excluding China, Taiwan and Korea. Menicon now has a foothold in the Asia-Pacific region for the further expansion of their business. Mr Naoki Nomura, who has been with Menicon for 14 years, has been appointed as President of this new subsidiary.

<*> Menicon Mandarin Asia Pte. Ltd.
Mr Naoki Nomura

621 Aljunied road
#06-07 Lipo building
Singapore 389834
Tel: +65 6841 6388
Fax: +65 6841 1803
naoki.nomura@menicon.com.sg

Menicon is pleased to announce that Menicon Z<*> is approved by the SFDA to be sold in China

Menicon entered the Chinese market last year with MeniFlex IntraOcular Lens and
now has a complete range of RGP Lens and Care products (i.e. Menicon Z, MeniCare Plus Multipurpose Solution and Progent Protein Remover), expected to be launched to the Chinese market in June 2005.

<*> MeniconZ is the world's only Hyper DK RGP approved by FDA for up to
30 days continuous wear.