Sakura Finetek, the automated tissue and slide preparation specialist, has entered into a global strategic partnership with Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. to create an integrated end-to-end digital pathology workflow spanning slide preparation through to whole slide imaging (WSI). The alliance aims to reduce pre-analytical variability and rework by aligning consistently prepared histology slides with reliable high-throughput digitisation.

Addressing the quality gap between bench and scanner

The rationale behind the collaboration is straightforward: the diagnostic quality of a digital pathology workflow is fundamentally constrained by the quality of the slides entering the scanner. By formally aligning Sakura Finetek’s automated staining and coverslipping platforms with Hamamatsu’s NanoZoomer WSI systems, the two companies intend to close a gap that laboratories frequently encounter when scan-ready slide preparation and imaging are procured and optimised in isolation.

“Digital pathology can only be as strong as the slide that enters the scanner,” said Tadashi Maruno, President of Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. “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.”

Operational pressures driving the collaboration

European laboratories operating under constrained staffing and increasing biopsy volumes stand to benefit most immediately. The partnership addresses the downstream consequences of sub-optimal slide preparation – including rescans, delayed turnaround times, and pathologist review burden.

“Across Europe, laboratories are under increasing pressure to do more with less, while maintaining uncompromising quality,” said Jaap Stuut, President of Sakura Finetek Europe. “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.”

Phased European rollout from mid-2026

The partnership launches globally with immediate effect and will be implemented in phases. The European rollout is expected to begin in late June 2026, initially covering Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands, with additional markets to follow as the collaboration matures. Joint customer engagement and shared educational resources on best practices for scan-ready slide production form a central part of the offering.