• All associated reagents under these brands included in the deal
• Strategic agreement allows Luminex to increase footprint in multi-billion-dollar flow cytometry market
• Deal expected to close at end of 2018

Darmstadt, Germany, – Merck, the vibrant science and technology company, today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell its Flow Cytometry unit to Luminex Corporation for €62.5 million.^1^ The closing of the transaction, expected by the end of 2018, is subject to customary closing conditions.

Upon completion of the transaction, Luminex will own the flow cytometry platforms Amnis^® and Guava^® and the associated reagents under those brands. This includes a portfolio of leading technologies serving the research space. Merck continues to actively manage its comprehensive portfolio by tapping into innovation and placing it in the best hands to continuously drive value for customers.

“This is an exciting opportunity for both of our organizations and I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to our committed colleagues,” said Udit Batra, member of the Merck Executive Board and CEO, Life Science. “Luminex is a long and trusted partner who has provided a wide range of solutions for clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical drug discovery and biomedical research. Luminex shares our conviction to solve the toughest problems in life science. This will be a great new home for the team to build on their expertise and introduce more solutions to a broader base. At the same time, our existing customers will get access to Luminex’s respected product portfolio.”

The acquisition expands Luminex’s existing offering of flow-based detection systems, which is focused on its xMAP^® multiplexing technology, with more than 15,000 xMAP^® systems sold worldwide. Merck’s ImageStream^®X Mark II Imaging Flow Cytometer, for example, has extremely high sensitivity and is used to detect and characterize small particles.

“As innovators in flow-based technologies, we are excited to acquire the flow cytometry assets of our existing long-term partner Merck, thereby expanding our portfolio of detection systems to address researchers interested in cellular analysis,” said Homi Shamir, president and CEO of Luminex. “We look forward to welcoming the talented Merck team to the Luminex family.”

^1^ Consisting of approximately €58.3 million to be paid under a Stock and Asset Purchase Agreement and approximately €4.2 million in committed inventory purchases. USD amount converted EUR 1 = $ 1.20.