Drs. Darren E. Zinner and Eric G. Campbell of Brandeis University analyzed the results of a survey of 1,663 life science faculty at 50 US universities with medical schools conducted between September 2006 and February 2007 to examine life science research at US academic medical centers. The mean research time for respondents was 23 hours […]

Agilent disclosed few additional details in its August 17 quarterly conference call about its agreement to acquire Varian for $1.5 billion (see IBO 7/31/09, 8/15/09). The $1.5 billion deal includes the purchase of outstanding common stock, cashing out of “in the money” stock options and assumed debt. Varian shareholders will vote on the merger agreement […]

Second-quarter 2009 IBO Life Science Index sales declined 4.3% to $2,336.48 million. Operating profit grew 5.9% to $404.34 million, and operating margin climbed 170 basis points to 17.3% of sales. Sales growth for a majority of companies was adversely affected by currency transactions and budget constraints. Operating profits benefited from restructuring activities. Second-quarter sales for […]

Cambridge, MA 9/3/09—Next-generation sequencer developer Helicos BioSciences has engaged Thomas Weisel Partners to assist in its strategic evaluation and execution of strategic alternatives. The company is currently engaged in discussions with potential partners both inside and outside the genetic sequencing market regarding strategic alternatives, including equity financing and other funding sources, such as partnerships. (For […]

Holliston, MA 9/3/09—Harvard Bioscience has acquired substantially all of the assets of Denville Scientific and assumed certain of the company’s liabilities. The purchase price is expected to be $23–$24 million, depending on Denville’s 2009 financial results. Denville is a distributor of molecular biology products, with a focus on liquid handling items. In 2008, Denville had […]

Santa Clara, CA 9/8/09—Cell Biosciences has agreed to acquire Alpha Innotech for $1.50 per share (a 70.5% premium over the September 4 price), or $17.9 million in cash, and the assumption of $2.1 million in debt. Alpha Innotech provides digital imaging systems, including gel documentation systems. Based in San Leandro, California, the company reported 2008 […]

Waltham, MA and Shanghai, China 9/8/09; Chennai, India 9/8/09—PerkinElmer has acquired companies in India and China to expand its diagnostics business. PerkinElmer acquired SYM-BIO Lifescience, a Chinese provider of diagnostics instruments and related reagents, which specializes in the area of infectious diseases, for $63.7 million in cash. The acquisition doubles PerkinElmer’s access to hospitals in […]

Waltham, MA 9/2/09; Henningsdorf, Germany 9/3/09—Thermo Fisher Scientific has agreed to purchase B.R.A.H.M.S. AG for €330 million ($470 million), including debt and liabilities. B.R.A.H.M.S. provides specialty in vitro diagnostic tests based on biomarkers for sepsis, cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, as well as intensive care treatments and prenatal screening. B.R.A.H.M.S. offers tests and instrumentation for laboratory […]

Waltham, MA 9/15/09—Thermo Fisher Scientific has appointed Chief Operating Officer Marc N. Casper president, CEO and director, effective October 15. He replaces Marijn E. Dekkers, Thermo’s president and CEO since 2002 (see IBO 11/30/02), who will resign to become CEO of Bayer AG, starting October 1, 2010. “Marc’s strong leadership at Thermo Fisher over the […]