Nanosphere, Inc. announced that it has signed a distribution and collaboration agreement with Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation. The agreement grants Hitachi High-Tech exclusive rights to market Nanosphere products in Japan. As well, the two companies intend to collaborate on assay and platform development. The partnership plays a significant role in Nanosphere's global distribution strategy. The need for rapid, accurate and clinically actionable diagnostic results has been well defined in Europe and the USA with Nanosphere's broad menu of infectious disease tests: Gram-Positive Blood Culture test (BC-GP) to detect bacteria, including antibiotic resistance markers, that may cause bloodstream infections (510(k) cleared; CE Mark); Gram-Negative Blood Culture test (BC-GN) to detect Bacteria including antibiotic resistance markers, that may cause bloodstream infections (CE Mark); Respiratory Virus Plus test (RV+) to detect multiple respiratory viruses which cause respiratory tract infections (510(k) cleared; CE Mark); Clostridium difficile test (CDF) to detect potentially deadly C. difficile and identifies the 027 hypervirulent strain (510(k) cleared; CE Mark) and Enteric Pathogens test (EP) to detect and multiple bacteria, viruses and toxin genes which cause gastrointestinal infections (In Clinical Trials).

Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation reported consolidated and non-consolidated earnings results for the year ended March 31, 2013. For the year, on consolidated basis, the company's net sales were ¥575,468 million compared with ¥645,865 million a year ago. Operating income was ¥18,951 million compared with ¥25,459 million a year ago. Ordinary income was ¥20,098 million compared with ¥26,233 million a year ago. Net income was ¥12,166 million or ¥88.45 per share compared with ¥14,265 million or ¥103.71 per share a year ago. Return on equity was 4.7% compared with 5.8% a year ago. Return on assets was 4.6% compared with 6.1% a year ago. Cash flows from operating activities were ¥10,974 million compared with ¥43,453 million a year ago. For the year, on non-consolidated basis, the company's net sales were ¥396,352 million compared with ¥476,410 million a year ago. Operating income was ¥8,372 million compared with ¥12,083 million a year ago. Ordinary income was ¥12,412 million compared with ¥14,030 million a year ago. Net income was ¥7,873 million or ¥57.24 per share compared with ¥7,849 million or ¥57.06 per share a year ago. For the six months, the company expects net sales of ¥290,000 million, operating income of ¥6,200 million, ordinary income of ¥6,300 million and net income of ¥3,800 million or ¥27.63 per share. For the fiscal year 2013, the company expects net sales of ¥640,000 million, operating income of ¥28,000 million, ordinary income of ¥28,000 million and net income of ¥19,700 million or ¥143.23 per share. For the second quarter of fiscal 2013, the company expects dividend of ¥10.00 per share against ¥10.00 per share a year ago. For the fiscal year 2013, the company expects term-end dividend of ¥10.00 per share and annual dividend of ¥20.00 per share against term-end dividend of ¥10.00 per share and annual dividend of ¥20.00 per share a year ago.

Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation announced that they will report fiscal year 2012 results at 3:30 PM, Tokyo Standard Time on Apr 23, 2013