We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

GE to Acquire Leading Manufacturer of Cell Culture Products

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 22 Aug 2011
Print article
A developer and supplier of cell culture media for biomedical research and the fast-growing biopharmaceutical and vaccine-manufacturing industry is being acquired by GE, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of biomedical equipment and supplies.

PAA Laboratories (Pasching, Austria) recently announced that it is the final stages of becoming part of GE Healthcare (Little Chalfont, United Kingdom), a unit of General Electric Company (Fairfield, CT, USA).

PAA Laboratories develops and manufactures specialized and innovative cell culture products such as media, sera, growth supplements, and reagents for use in biomedical research and in the production of protein-based pharmaceuticals. The global demand for media, sera, and reagents for cell culture is predicted to grow from $2.3 billion in 2009 to an estimated $3.9 billion by 2015. PAA Laboratories, which maintains manufacturing facilities registered with the [US] Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has recently inaugurated an advanced manufacturing facility for powdered cell culture media to meet the growing demand for these products from the biopharmaceutical industry.

The acquisition of PAA Laboratories, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2011, is consistent with GE's strategy to invest in high technology, innovative businesses that deliver strong top-line growth and expanded margins. “The acquisition of PAA Laboratories is a significant step forward for our Life Sciences business and for biopharmaceutical manufacturing globally,” said Kieran Murphy, president and CEO of GE Healthcare Life Sciences. “GE Healthcare Life Sciences is well known for its expertise in the “downstream” processes of biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Adding “upstream” capabilities will enable us to provide an end-to-end, fully integrated service to our customers. We believe that an integrated approach, where we can help customers optimize every stage of their manufacturing process, has the potential to reduce cost of entry, deliver higher yields of finished product, and reduce time to market.”

Rainer Burian, CEO of PAA Laboratories said, “This is a great opportunity for the professional team of staff at PAA Laboratories, and we are very excited to become part of GE Healthcare’s Life Sciences business. The Board of Directors of PAA Laboratories strongly believes that joining such a well-respected and recognized organization will give us significant opportunities to grow our business further with new technologies, products, and services. The entire PAA Laboratories team looks forward to joining GE.”

Related Links:
PAA Laboratories
GE Healthcare
General Electric Company

Gold Member
Flocked Fiber Swabs
Puritan® Patented HydraFlock®
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
New
Urine Collection Container
Urine Monovette
New
Monkeypox Test
Monkeypox Virus Rapid Antibody Test

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The new saliva-based test for heart failure measures two biomarkers in about 15 minutes (Photo courtesy of Trey Pittman)

POC Saliva Testing Device Predicts Heart Failure in 15 Minutes

Heart failure is a serious condition where the heart muscle is unable to pump sufficient oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It ranks as a major cause of death globally and is particularly fatal for... Read more

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The FDA clearance for the QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Mini test follows the recent approval of QIAstat-Dx Respiratory Panel Plus (Photo courtesy of QIAGEN)

Respiratory Panel to Help Clinicians Make Precise Treatment Decisions in Outpatient Settings

Respiratory tract infections are the primary reason for visits to emergency departments and subsequent hospitalizations. In the U.S., it is estimated that there are up to 41 million cases of influenza... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: QScout CBC will give a complete blood count in 2 minutes from fingerstick or venous blood (Photo courtesy of Ad Astra Diagnostics)

Next Gen CBC and Sepsis Diagnostic System Targets Faster, Earlier, Easier Results

Every hour is critical in protecting patients from infections, yet there are currently limited tools to assist in early diagnosis before patients reach a hospital. The complete blood count (CBC) is a common... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The InfectoSynovia test has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

High-Accuracy Bedside Test to Diagnose Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Five Minutes

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) represents a significant global issue that is worsening as the number of joint replacements increases due to aging populations. In the United States alone, the anticipated... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: The new technique allows properties of cancer cells and their surrounding tissue to be analyzed in detail at single-cell level (Photo courtesy of Universität Helsinki/Karolina Punovuori)

New Imaging Method Opens Door to Precision Diagnostics for Head and Neck Cancers

Head and neck cancers, while considered rare, represent a significant portion of cancer cases and have seen a notable increase over the past 30 years. These cancers encompass various malignant tumors that... Read more