The global alliance aims to reduce slide rework and scanning delays by aligning high-quality slide preparation with whole slide imaging.
Sakura Finetek and Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. have announced a global partnership designed to connect slide preparation with digital imaging into a single, streamlined anatomic pathology workflow—from biopsy processing through whole slide image review.
The collaboration brings together Sakura Finetek’s automated tissue and slide preparation technology with Hamamatsu’s NanoZoomer whole slide imaging systems. According to a release, both companies aim to reduce variability and rework in digital pathology laboratories by aligning slide quality standards with imaging performance.
“Across Europe, laboratories are under increasing pressure to do more with less, while maintaining uncompromising quality,” says Jaap Stuut, president, Sakura Finetek Europe, in a release. “By combining Sakura’s proven expertise in producing consistently high-quality slides with Hamamatsu’s imaging excellence, we are creating a workflow that empowers pathologists to focus on what truly matters: confident, timely diagnoses for every patient.”
Connecting Slide Preparation to Whole Slide Imaging
A central premise of the partnership, according to both companies, is that digital pathology output quality is directly dependent on the quality of the slide that enters the scanner.
“Digital pathology can only be as strong as the slide that enters the scanner,” says Tadashi Maruno, president, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., in a release. “NanoZoomer systems are built to deliver high-quality whole slide images. This partnership with Sakura Finetek reinforces a ‘one complete workflow’ mindset, supporting consistent slide preparation and clear imaging so pathologists can focus on what matters most: arriving at the right diagnosis for each patient.”
The agreement between Sakura Finetek and Hamamatsu Photonics is structured around three areas of joint support for clinical laboratories, according to the release:
Workflow alignment between slide preparation steps and digital scanning to help reduce rework, rescans, and delays
Joint customer engagement to help laboratories evaluate and design end-to-end workflows from histology through digital review
Shared educational resources highlighting best practices for scan-ready slide production and reliable whole slide imaging
Phased European Rollout Planned for Mid-2026
The global partnership launched on March 20, 2026, with a phased regional rollout to follow. According to the release, the European phase is expected to begin toward the end of June 2026, launching first in Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands, with additional European markets to be added as the partnership develops.
The initiative reflects broader pressures facing anatomic pathology laboratories, which are increasingly seeking integrated solutions that reduce manual intervention, limit the need for rescans, and support faster turnaround from specimen receipt to diagnosis. According to the release, the two companies plan to collaborate directly with pathologists and laboratories to design workflows that realize these efficiencies in practice.
Photo credit: Sakura Finetek
