Thermo Scientific Acquires Sequencing Technology Developer

(NIST.gov)

Thermo Fisher Scientific, a maker of laboratory instruments and technologies in Waltham, Massachusetts acquired the genomic sequencing systems developer Life Technologies in Carlsbad, California for $13.6 billion in cash and debt assumption. In the deal, Thermo Fisher Scientific will pay $76.00 per share and assume Life Technologies’ net outstanding debt, valued at $2.2 billion.

Life Technologies develops a range of products and systems for basic and translational medical research including genomic sequencing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems for genetic analysis. The company says that in addition to medical applications, its systems are also used in forensics, agricultural biotechnology, food safety, and animal health.

Life Technologies had revenues of $3.8 billion in 2012, with 10,000 employees in 180 countries. The company says its intellectual property portfolio exceeds 5,000 patents and licenses.

Thermo Fisher Scientific manufactures equipment and instruments, software, supplies, and reagents covering sample preparation, analysis, and data interpretation for life sciences, medical, and industrial labs. The company also offers lab services, support, and supply management under its Unity Lab Services brand. Thermo Fisher Scientific last reported annual revenues of $13 billion and 39,000 employees.

The acquisition of Life Technologies is expected to bolster Thermo Fisher Scientific’s position in the specialty diagnostics and applied research markets, particularly for life sciences labs working in proteomics, genomics, and cell biology. The acquisition is also expected to give the combined companies a larger presence in China and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, Thermo Fisher Scientific plans to take advantage of Life Technologies’ electronic commerce capabilities that account for more than half of that company’s orders.

The transaction, say the companies, is expected to result in $25 million in revenue synergies and $250 million in cost synergies, although no examples of specific revenues or cost savings were given.

The Financial Times reports today that Life Technologies rejected a competing bid from a consortium of the private equity companies Blackstone, Carlyle, and KKR offering $65.00 a share.

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