News, Analysis, Trends, Management Innovations for
Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups

Hosted by Robert Michel

News, Analysis, Trends, Management Innovations for
Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups

Hosted by Robert Michel
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Thermo Fisher to Buy Life Technologies for $13.6 Billion in Bid to Beef Up Its Share of Next-Generation Genetic Testing Market

Multi-billion-dollar mega-deal positions Thermo Fisher to offer a broader spectrum of gene sequencing systems to clinical laboratories and pathology groups

Earlier this week, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., (NYSE: TMO) of Waltham, Massachusetts, announced a deal that will shake up the market for next-generation gene sequencing and genetic testing. It will acquire Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE) of Carlsbad, California.

More IVD Industry Consolidation That Affects Clinical Laboratories

It is another example of consolidation involving two companies that sell products to the clinical laboratory and anatomic pathology sectors of the lab medicine marketplace. It is also a multi-billion dollar transaction. Thermo Fisher will pay $13.6 billion for Life Technologies, or $76 per share, according to a Reuters report. This amount represents an 11.7% premium over the $68 price per share of Life Technologies’ stock when trading began Monday morning. (more…)

Quest Diagnostics to Pay $740 Million to Acquire Athena Diagnostics from Thermo Fisher

It’s a strong price to pay for this specialty clinical pathology laboratory company

Today, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) announced that it was selling its Athena Diagnostics clinical pathology laboratory business to Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (NYSE:DGX). The purchase price will be $740 million, making this the highest-priced medical laboratory acquisition of 2011.

Based in Worcester, Massachusetts, Athena Diagnostics is known for its expertise in diagnostic tests for neurological and other diseases. Back in the 1990s, Athena was one of the earliest clinical laboratory companies to build a business around developing proprietary diagnostic tests, then introducing them into the clinical marketplace. Athena Diagnostics currently offers about 350 different assays.
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Thermo Fisher Trumped by Merck KGaA’s $7.2 Billion Bid to Acquire Millipore

Clinical Pathology Laboratory Customers of Millipore Not Likely to See Many Changes

It only took a few days for Millipore Corporation (NYSE: MIL) to find a buyer willing to outbid Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO). Millipore agreed to be acquired by Merck KGaA (FWB: MRK) of Darmstadt, Germany. Merck will pay about $7.2 billion for Millipore, which tops a reported bid of $6 billion made by Thermo Fisher last week.

Because many clinical pathology laboratories use Millipore’s water purification systems and other products, the pending acquisition of Millipore by Merck represents more consolidation among vendors serving the clinical laboratory industry. The acquisition is expected to close during the second half of 2010.
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