Company Announcements

For the fiscal year ending March 31, Hitachi High-Technologies’ Science and Medical Systems (SMS) sales grew 7.8% to ¥177 billion ($1.5 billion = ¥120.08= $1) to account for 28% of company revenues (see IBO 4/30/16). Segment growth was driven by strong demand for electron microscopes and clinical analyzers. SMS operating margin declined 90 basis points to 15.0%. SMS fiscal first quarter sales advanced 13.4% to ¥45.8 billion ($424.3 million = ¥107.93= $1) to account for 31% of company revenues (see IBO 7/31/16). Currency as well as a large order for clinical analyzers in emerging markets drove segment growth. SMS operating margin declined 150 basis points to 14.8%.

For the fiscal year ending April 2, Halma Environmental & Analysis sales advanced 14.9%, 11.4% organically, to £188.9 million ($286.3 million) to account for 23% of sales (see IBO 6/15/16). Growth was driven by strong sales of industrial photonics products, as well as demand for water quality testing and gas conditioning products in emerging markets. Increased capital spending in the UK further boosted sales of water monitoring products. Sales in China and India grew in the strong double digits. Adjusted segment operating margin expanded 161 basis points to 18.3%.

In June, Eppendorf named Philipp von Loeper as chairman. He replaces Klaus Fink, who resigned from the Board.

WaferGen Bio-systems named Takara Bio as its exclusive Japanese distributor for its ICELL8 Single-Cell System, SmartChip Real-Time PCR, SmartChip Target Enrichment and Apollo 324 products.

Oxford Instruments announced that Jennifer Allerton will step down from its Board in September.

Merck KGaA increased its commitment to its corporate venture fund under the newly set up Merck Ventures. Four dedicated investment teams will focus on Healthcare, Life Science, Performance Materials and new businesses. Total volume can reach up to €300 million ($341 million) once fully invested. The company has an existing biopharma venture fund.

Diagnenode, a provider of complete solutions for epigenetic research, secured €7.5 million ($8.5 million) in funding, including an equity component and loan facility. Diagnenode’s revenues totaled €15 million ($17 million) in its most recent fiscal year with a positive EBIDTA margin.

QIAGEN, along with Weill Cornell Medicine, joined the MetaSUB Consortium that will map microbial genomes in 54 cities.

General Electric opened its 210,000 ft2 North American headquarters in Marlborough, Massachusetts, for precision medicine. At full capacity in 2017, it will employ over 500 scientists and professionals. The facility includes manufacturing and its ninth Fast Trak facility, which trains biotech innovators.

In July, Ratiolab, which provides laboratory disposables, acquired Slamed NG, a supplier of liquid handling products, and medical and chemistry analyzers.