March 19th 2008 Cambridge, UK: Synoptics, a world leader in the development and manufacture of innovative digital imaging systems for life science applications, is pleased to announce it has been acquired by newly formed UK imaging company, Scientific Digital Imaging (SDI). The acquisition will provide Synoptics with both the investment and business acumen to develop its portfolio of revolutionary products.

With SDI’s expert management team, the Synoptics Group comprising three divisions: Syngene, Synbiosis and Syncroscopy will have the investment and strategic guidance to continue offering a product range that embraces the industry’s leading life science imaging technology.

Synoptics provides systems that life scientists need to improve the quality and speed of their research and it is this customer focus which has driven the success of the business in the past decade. Syngene, the largest division, produces state-of-the-art equipment and software that are used to analyse 1-D and 2-D gels of DNA or proteins stained with a vast array of dyes. Synbiosis and Syncroscopy have expertise in providing solutions for automated microbial colony counting and for automated microscopy imaging applications respectively.

Jeremy Gibbs, SDI’s interim non-executive Chairman stated: “SDI’s growth is based on a combination of business development and acquiring companies whose people, products and services are a natural fit for us. The Synoptics Group of companies is exactly of that type and therefore has massive potential to thrive as part of SDI.”

Paul Ellwood, Synoptics’ newly appointed joint Managing Director added: “The acquisition of Synoptics by SDI is a very positive move. It signals a new phase of financial and management investment and means we can go from strength to strength in providing the excellent products, as well as the professional approach to customer service and delivery for which the Syngene, Synbiosis and Syncroscopy divisions within the Synoptics Group have become world renowned.”