Diagnostics company bioMerieux (PARIS:BIM) is acquiring French microbiological analysis company AES Laboratoire for $260 million.
France-based bioMerieux, which has its U.S. headquarters in Durham, North Carolina, gains AES’ expertise in analyzing microbiological samples in industrial settings. The acquisition is bioMerieux’s ninth in five years.
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BioMerieux’s strength is in medical diagnostics and some of the company’s recent acquisitions have reflected the company’s effort to boost its capabilities in that area. For example, in 2008, bioMerieux gained molecular diagnostics capabilities with its $60 million purchase of San Diego company AviaraDx, whose molecular testing technology is used for cancer diagnostics. BioMerieux is also in a partnership with pharmaceutical firm Ipsen (PARIS:IPN) to develop companion diagnostics for cancer, tests that help doctors make therapeutic decisions about how to treat patients and which drugs to use.
AES’ technologies are used in microbiological analysis in a range of industrial applications that include pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food. BioMerieux says that the acquisition will make bioMerieux the world leader in food testing. Stephane Bancel, CEO of bioMerieux, said in a statement that his company’s global scale will enable AES’ technologies to be deployed worldwide. The expertise in food and cosmetics will give bioMerieux another avenue of growth beyond medical diagnostics.
The deal is expected to close in the third quarter and is subject to regulatory approvals.
