Agilent Technologies Expands Portfolio with Acquisition of BioTek Instruments

Agilent Technologies Inc. (Santa Clara, CA, USA), a global leader in the life sciences, diagnostics and applied chemical markets, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately-owned BioTek Instruments (Winooski, VT, USA) which designs, manufactures, and distributes innovative life science instrumentation. The acquisition of BioTek makes Agilent well positioned in the large and growing immuno-oncology and immunotherapy markets and expands the company’s presence in biopharma, academia and research. The combination will support novel workflows that reveal more comprehensive insights for live cell analysis.

BioTek is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of innovative life science instrumentation. Its comprehensive product line includes cell imaging systems, microplate readers, washers, dispensers, automated incubators and stackers. These products enable life science research by providing customers with high performance, cost-effective analysis across diverse applications.

Agilent’s acquisition of BioTek accelerates its multi-year growth strategy to expand its position in cell analysis, a fast-growing multi-billion dollar market. Agilent entered the cell analysis segment in 2015 with the acquisition of Seahorse Bioscience, a provider of specialized instruments and live-cell, kinetic assays. In January 2018, Agilent broadened its portfolio of cell analysis solutions through the acquisition of Luxcel Biosciences, and in September 2018, it went on to acquire ACEA Biosciences, a pioneer in the development and commercialization of high- performance cell analysis platforms for life science research. With Agilent’s latest acquisition of BioTek, their combined portfolio will enable it to provide a more complete and integrated solution for customers in the important and fast-growing area of live cell analysis.

“BioTek represents a strong strategic fit with Agilent,” said Mike McMullen, Agilent president and CEO. “The combination of these two companies will accelerate our multi-year growth strategy to expand our position in cell analysis. This is another example of Agilent investing in high-growth segments of the life sciences market to serve new and existing customers. Agilent is committed to continuing operations in Vermont and retaining the great team of nearly 500 employees that have been at the core of BioTek’s 50-year history of excellence and success.”

“By combining BioTek’s offerings with Agilent’s, we will deliver a breadth of differentiated workflows, enabling customers to obtain deeper, more reliable insights across a variety of cell analysis applications,” said Jacob Thaysen, president of Agilent’s Life Sciences and Applied Markets Group. “This positions Agilent well in the large and growing immuno-oncology and immunotherapy markets and expands our presence in biopharma, academia and research as customers seek to understand complex cellular environments and interactions.”

“BioTek and Agilent have already been in partnership for over a year, successfully unlocking significant value through joint development of customer solutions,” said Briar Alpert, CEO of BioTek. “Both companies share the same focus on customers and employees, as well as a similar purpose, mission and values. I am confident that this is the winning formula for our employees and customers around the world.”