Research and development
Objectives and focus of research and development
Innovations are a key driver of future growth. Research and development has therefore traditionally played a crucial role within the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group. The goal of the Company is to continuously expand its product portfolio and further improve existing products. In doing so, the Company is striving to establish its products as new gold standards in medical diagnostics and therapy. The main focus is on making the customer’s workflows more efficient by integrating solutions, and on improving the clinical results. Close cooperation with customers in the early stages of development is a key component of the R&D work.
In fiscal year 2024/25, research and development expenses amounted to €326.3m (prior year: €343.1m; -4.9%). At 14.6%, the R&D ratio was lower than in the previous year (16.6%). In addition, primary development costs of €34.9m were capitalized. Amortization of capitalized development costs amounted to €47.3m. Further information can be found in the Notes.
R&D expenses
in €m/share of R&D in revenue of Carl Zeiss Meditec Group, in %
In the reporting period, 20% (prior year: 22%) of the entire workforce of the Carl Zeiss Meditec Group were working in research and development. In addition, a limited amount of services were purchased from Carl Zeiss AG, Oberkochen, and its subsidiaries. In fiscal year 2024/25, the expenses incurred for this amounted to 17.2% (prior year: 20.9% of total research and development expenses.
Focus of research and development activities in the reporting period
Research and development at the Company mainly focused on:
- assessing new technological concepts in terms of their clinical relevance and effectiveness;
- the continuous development of the existing product portfolio, including consumables and instruments;
- the development of new products and product platforms based on the existing basic technologies and
- the digital networking of systems and devices with the aim of achieving greater efficiency in diagnoses and therapies and improving clinical results through optimized workflows.