In March, Techcomp announced exclusive distribution agreements in China and Asia Pacific markets with Kurabo Industries, Implen GmbH, Corona and Astranet.

In March, the Verder Group and engineering firm Samuel Hodge acquired Autoclude, a manufacturer of peristaltic pumps for the OEM and laboratory markets.

In April, Mocon opened a technical support office in Shanghai, China to support its permeation, headspace analysis and leak detection products in Asian markets.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Chairman Paul Meister, former vice chairman of Fisher Scientific, retired in April. Jim Manzi, who served as Thermo Electron’s chairman since 2003, was named chairman in May. He is chairman of Stonegate Capital.

The Albany Times Union reports that Thermo Fisher Scientific will close the Rupprecht & Patashnick facility (see IBO 4/30/05) in East Greenbush, New York by October.

Under a reciprocal supply agreement, TC Tech, a Thermo Fisher Scientific affiliate, will supply Sartorius AG with disposable process containers until the end of 2007 and with disposable process containers assembled with Sartorius filter capsules until 2012. Sartorius will supply TC Tech with filter units for a further five years.

Quintiles Transnational and Thermo Fisher Scientific created Cenduit, a joint venture to provide integrated Interactive Response Technology (IRT) services for drug development. IRT integrates patient interaction systems to support clinical development programs.

In April, Agilent opened the Open Lab & Solution Center and the Life Sciences & Chemical Analysis Center of Excellence in Beijing’s Wang Jing Science Park. The Centers combine the Beijing-based R&D, sales, marketing, technical support and after-sale functions in one location.

In May, Bruker BioSciences elected three new directors to its Board: Wolf-Dieter Emmerich, former general manager of NETZSCH Thermal Analysis; Brenda J. Furlong, former managing director and head of Fixed Income at Columbia Management Group; and Richard A. Packer, chairman and CEO of ZOLL Medical. Chris Canavan and Taylor Crouch stepped down from the Board.

PerkinElmer opened a new headquarters and technology center in Waltham, Massachusetts, in April. The 115,000 sq. ft. campus includes an R&D facility for the drug discovery, cellular science and diagnostics businesses.