BD To Acquire Ann Arbor's Accuri Cytometers
Franklin Lakes, N.J.-based Becton Dickinson and Co. (NYSE: BDX) said Monday that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Accuri Cytometers Inc., an Ann Arbor-based company that develops and manufactures smaller, affordable cell analysis cytometers for life sciences researchers.
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close during the third quarter of fiscal year 2011. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
BD spokeswoman Colleen T. White said the health care giant plans "to continue operating out of the current facility in Ann Arbor," where Accuri has about 70 employees.
BD said the acquisition would expand BD's presence into the emerging affordable personal flow cytometer space. It would also help expand the use of flow technology by researchers in developing regions where ease of use is critical, as well as by researchers in scientific disciplines that have not traditionally used flow cytometry, such as environmental studies.
"Accuri Cytometers' offering of flow cytometers for a new audience of researchers will complement and broaden BD's current offerings for life scientists," said Vincent A. Forlenza, BD president and COO. "We believe that, once completed, this acquisition will enable BD to further contribute to medical and scientific advances, in line with our corporate purpose of helping all people live healthy lives."
Added William Rhodes, president of BD Biosciences: "Making flow cytometry more accessible to a wider audience of scientists and clinicians is one aspect of our Cell Analysis growth strategy. With its small footprint, ease of use and affordable price, the Accuri flow cytometer enables the adoption of flow cytometry by a broad range of researchers whom BD does not currently serve."
BD senior management will address this announcement during the Company's fiscal first quarter earnings call on Tuesday, which will be broadcast live at www.bd.com/investors, at 10 a.m. Eastern time.
