October 3, 2018
PHC Holdings Corporation
TOKYO, October 3, 2018 ― PHC Corporation (hereafter PHC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PHC Holdings Corporation (headquarters: Tokyo, Japan) announces its -85℃ ultra-low temperature freezers “VIP ECO” *1 and “TwinGuard” *2 series, launched onto the market this year received the Good Design Award 2018*3 presented by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion.
The two series realize reliable and efficient, long-term preservation to protect high-value samples and specimens for drug development and life science studies. The series were awarded the prize for their product reliability and enhanced usability features such as a door latch handle easily held by the right or left hand for opening and closing the door tightly and securely, and the large touch panel screen with improved visibility to ensure safe and secure operation. In addition, the environmentally conscious approach represented by energy-saving operation made possible by natural refrigerants*4 and the new inverter compressor was evaluated highly. *5
Both freezer series increase sample storage efficiency by approximately 10%*6, preserving more samples/specimens but managing to do this with just about the same footprint as previous models. In addition, the “VIP ECO” series has achieved an approximately 20%*7 power consumption reduction, compared to previous models, and the “Twin Guard” series minimizes risks of damaging stored valuable samples and specimens due to maintaining an interior temperature of -70℃, even if one system should fail.
PHC offers value-added products and services for its three core business — Medical Devices, Healthcare IT, and Life Sciences. The Life Sciences business, which now has a new brand name “PHCbi” after the company’s name change in April 2018, dates back to 1966 when the company launched pharmaceutical refrigerators in Japan. PHC released the first ultra-low temperature freezer in 1977 and now has large market shares in the domestic and global market respectively.
As new life science studies such as cell therapies advance, PHC will contribute to leading-edge research and development to realize next-generation medical treatments through enhancing development of medical support solutions that respond to customer needs.
The “VIP ECO” and “TwinGuard” series will be introduced at Good Design Exhibition 2018*8 and will be showcased at Regenerative Medicine Japan 2018*9.
*1 Awarded models: MDF-DU702VHS1-PJ/DU502VHS1-PJ, MDF-DU702VH-PJ/ DU502VH-PJ (soon on sale)
*2 Awarded models: MDF-DU702VX-PJ/DU502VX-PJ
*3 Good Design Award: “Comprehensive design recommendation system” operated by Japan Institute of Design Promotion which aims to enrich our lives, industries, and society through choosing “good designs” from various fields to receive an award. http://www.g-mark.org/
*4 Refrigerants made from natural substances such as ammonia, CO2. Being CFC-free they have less impact on the environment.
*5 Judges’ comments:
(MDF-DU702VH/DU502VH) The body is large with a heavy door to keep the interior temperature ultra-low, but the die-cast door latch handle is easy to hold and opens and closes tight and secure, leading to product reliability. The handle is designed so that either right or left hand can open and close the door, a big usability improvement in research environments and laboratories. In addition, these products offer energy-saving operation due to the use of natural refrigerants and a new inverter compressor, so this environmentally conscious approach is also evaluated highly.
(MDF-DU702VX/DU502VX) The cabinet is large with a heavy door to keep the interior temperature ultra-low, but the die-cast door latch handle is easy to hold and opens and closes tight and secure, leading to product reliability. The handle is designed so that either right or left hand can open and close the door, which is a big usability improvement in research environments and laboratories. The large touch panel screen in front of the cabinet is simple in color and design and extremely visible, which ensures safe and secure operation in laboratory environments.
*6 Compared to MDF-DU700VＨ-PJ (conventional model) and MDF-DU702VＨS1-PJ, MDF-U700VX-PJ (conventional model) and MDF-DU702VX-PJ
*7 Compared to MDF-DU700VＨ-PJ (conventional model) and MDF-DU702VＨS1-PJ
*8 Good Design Exhibition 2018
Date: October 31 - November 4
Venue: Tokyo Midtown (Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
https://www.g-mark.org/gde/2018/
*Panel display only.
*9 Regenerative Medicine Japan 2018
Date: October 10 - 12
Venue: Pacifico Yokohama (Minatomirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama)
https://www.ics-expo.jp/saisei/ja/
*Actual products on display
About PHC Holdings Corporation
Incorporated in 2014, PHC Holdings Corporation is a global healthcare company. Its subsidiaries include PHC Corporation and Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG. Committed to its corporate mission, “We contribute to the wellbeing of society through our diligent efforts by creating new value propositions for all the people who wish for better health,” the company develops, manufactures, sells and services medical equipment and solutions through its three core businesses for medical devices, healthcare IT and life sciences. PHC Holdings Corporation group’s consolidated net sales in FY2017 marked 192.6 billion yen with global distribution of products and services for more than 125 countries. PHC Holdings Corporation changed its name from Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd. in April, 2018.
For further information on PHC Holdings Corporation, please visit www.phchd.com
Media contact
Corporate Communications Department
PHC Holdings Corporation
+81-3-6778-5311