Billerica, MA 11/2/16—Bruker has acquired selected Scotland-based assets for the development, validation and commercialization of molecular assays for microbiology for use with its MALDI Biotyper system.  Financial details were not disclosed. The acquisition includes lab infrastructure and IP. The real-time PCR-based assays will be developed for multiplex and syndromic panel testing. “In addition to conventional, targeted real-time PCR assays, Bruker sees further advantages in combining multiplexed syndromic PCR assays with a read-out on the MALDI Biotyper platform,” said Dr. Wolfgang Pusch, executive vice president for Clinical MALDI Solutions. “Bruker intends to validate and launch the real-time PCR assays which have been acquired, and develop new multiplex PCR panels on the MALDI Biotyper platform in order to expand its assay menu to rapid targeted bacterial, fungal and viral identification, to fast antibiotic resistance testing, as well as to syndromic panels.” Applications for multiplex PCR assays include early screening confirmation testing and broader syndromic testing.

The acquisition expands Bruker’s successful MALDI Biotyper instrument business into proprietary reagents. The transaction satisfies its specified goals to expand both its diagnostics consumables businesses, with the latest purchase appearing to have filled both criteria.