Pall inked a definitive merger agreement with ForteBio®, a provider of analytical systems that accelerate the discovery and development of biotech drugs. The transaction is expected to close by February of 2012.
Headquartered in Menlo Park, CA, ForteBio offers an array of innovative, label-free protein analysis instruments. These complement Pall’s microbiological monitoring platforms and expand capabilities in the biopharmaceuticals process monitoring and protein research markets. ForteBio’s portfolio of analytical solutions allows researchers to measure proteins in real time without the aid of fluorescent, radio, or calorimetric labels or markers that can contaminate samples.
“We are thrilled about the acquisition of ForteBio and the added value it enables Pall to bring to customers,” says Larry Kingsley, Pall CEO and president. “Biopharmaceuticals continues to be the engine of our life sciences business and an important long-term growth accelerator.”
ForteBio’s original Octet® family of products is based on the company’s BioLayer Interferometry (BLI) technology. It incorporates disposable optical Dip and Read™ biosensors that measure multiple interactions in parallel, without the use of detection agents.
For single-sample analysis, ForteBio recently launched its BLItz™ platform. It reportedly makes label-free protein analysis more accessible and cost effective for individual bench scientists and researchers.
"Pall’s strong global sales channel will extend the reach of ForteBio instruments and better position us to capitalize on opportunities in emerging regions in Europe and Asia," remarks Joseph D. Keegan, Ph.D., ForteBio CEO and president. “Demand for label-free protein analysis continues to intensify, and through the merger we now can bring the advantages of ForteBio systems to a wider range of customers.”