Acquisition expands firm’s flow cytometry portfolio.
BD acquired all of the outstanding stock of Cytopeia, a privately held, Seattle-based firm that develops and markets advanced flow cytometry cell-sorting instruments. Cytopeia was spun out of the Institute for Systems Biology in 2000 by Ger van den Engh.
“This strategic acquisition brings new technologies and capabilities that will enhance BD’s ability to address growing customer needs in advanced applications such as cell therapy research,” says William A. Kozy, BD executive vp.
Cytopeia’s Influx cell sorter offers BD an open, configurable cell-sorting platform. The Influx cell sorter is suited for a range of applications including cell therapy research, stem cell research, drug discovery and development, as well as marine biology, according to the companies. It also complements the BD FACSAria II system.
Through the acquisition, BD gains the scientific leadership and insights of van den Engh who will join BD Biosciences, a segment of BD, as vp of advanced cytometry. In this role, he will manage continuing research and technology development activities in Seattle.
The acquisition is not expected to have a material impact on BD’s fiscal year 2008 earnings.