Optical Coherence Tomography
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution cross-sectional imaging technique that is non-invasive and utilizes NIR light to penetrate into the sample.
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©️ G&H Life Science Innovation Hub, Rochester, NYRethinking Life Sciences: An Interview with Dr. Neil Anderson, US Sales Director for G&H | ITL and General Manager of G&H | GS Optics
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G&H (LON:GHH) is moving into its next phase of life science manufacturing by opening its Innovation Hub for Life Sciences in Rochester, New York, United States. Behind this new venture into medtech manufacturability sits a team of advanced technology experts who are the masterminds behind translating innovative product ideas for our customers and turning them into full-scale, life-enhancing solutions.
Today we are speaking with Dr. Neil Anderson, an industry professional who blends deep knowledge of optics and photonics with a passion for life sciences and medical device innovation. Neil plays an important role at G&H: he is both the US Sales Director for Life Sciences and General Manager of G&H | GS Optics.
This is the second part of an interview series in which we highlight the experts behind the G&H Innovation Hub for Life Sciences in Rochester, New York. Enjoy!
©️ Neil Anderson, US Sales Director for Life Sciences and General Manager of G&H | GS Optics.
Q: Neil, how does it feel to be part of such a prestigious project like the Grand Opening of the G&H Innovation Hub for Life Sciences in Rochester, New York?
NA: It’s incredibly energizing. I’m both proud and amazed by what the G&H team has accomplished in such a short amount of time. What began as a vision in 2023 is now becoming reality in 2025. In fact, it’s this state of mind that motivates me every day at G&H. This creative, problem-solving attitude towards any given challenge is what inspires me as a professional when interacting with our clients – it’s exciting and rewarding to navigate medical device product development, while making sure the outcome is impactful in a positive way.
©️ G&H polymer optics manufacturing
Q: You have a unique professional background in both biophotonics and life sciences. How did you pair these two different sectors into one career path?
NA: My background started in optical science and engineering. I’ve completed a Master of Science in Physics from Heriot-Watt University and received my PhD from the Institute of Optics affiliated with the University of Rochester. Anything that has to do with light (i.e., photons) is something that has fascinated me for the longest time. My first professional role was in R&D in eye healthcare with Bausch + Lomb, so I had a taste for how it feels to combine optics with life sciences to drive new understandings in human health. Since then, I’ve held different roles, mostly in developing life sciences solutions, spanning product development and sales to strategic marketing, acquisitions and general management.
I have grown business lines from scratch and even helped companies working in quantum computing and sensing, covering optical components to complete end user instruments. This has enabled me to gain deep insights into the importance of secure supply chains.
At G&H, I focus on our high-volume polymer optics and polymer consumables product portfolios, where we help customers take designs from concept to production using our advanced injection molding capabilities. Polymers offer optical clarity, cost-efficiency, and scalability – especially for cartridge-based platforms. That’s where we can really accelerate innovation and time to market for our customers. And that combination – optics, life sciences, and scalable manufacturing – is at the heart of what we’re building at the Innovation Hub.
©️ Optical coherent tomography (OCT) examination
Q: What types of medtech innovation are you most excited to support through the G&H Innovation Hub?
NA: There’s enormous opportunity in precision diagnostics and therapeutics. We’re seeing growing demand for solutions that go deeper – microscopically and molecularly – to understand the human body and create more personalized healthcare.
Optics and photonics play a vital role here. For example, using optical imaging techniques to peer inside the human eye not only helps diagnose and treat harmful eye disease and conditions. It also opens new vistas into the inner working of the human brain, as companies like C. Light Technologies have demonstrated. We offer customers engineered product solutions that span individual optics, optical subassemblies, complete instruments, and consumables. Our ability to take each type of product from design concept and scale for production is what differentiates G&H. This is what our customers trust us to deliver.
Through vertical integration and deep application expertise, we help customers move from prototype to production quickly and compliantly. It’s a virtuous cycle: our partners make a difference in people’s lives, and we’re proud to help them get there faster.
Q: How will you know if you’ve achieved success with this new organizational ecosystem?
NA: My top priority, in terms of outcome, is precisely that of building an ecosystem for accessible innovation. By offering our end-to-end design and manufacturing competences, we want to enable our clients’ success. When our customers succeed, word gets around. That’s the best validation we can hope for.
On a local level, we’re committed to growing Rochester’s medtech landscape by creating high-value jobs and investing in the community. The region has a strong talent pool and a long-standing reputation in optics and photonics. We’re here to build on that legacy by creating partnerships with local organizations and medtech companies.
I am looking forward to partnering up with local colleges and universities to build on the longevity of innovative R&D and manufacturing, thus further advancing Rochester’s reputation as a future-forward spot in the United States in the life sciences
We’re excited to officially get the engines running in that direction from May 1st, 2025.
Learn more about our Innovation Hub for Life Sciences
Grand Opening
