Bruker Acquires IVD Manufacturer ELITech Group and Cell Imaging Company Phasefocus

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 29 Dec 2023

Image: Bruker has made two year-end acquisitions of ELITechGroup and Phasefocus (Photo courtesy of Bruker)

Bruker Corporation (Billerica, MA, USA), an international life science research and diagnostics solutions provider, has entered into separate agreements to acquire ELITechGroup (Puteaux, France), a global manufacturer of in-vitro diagnostics (IVD), and Phasefocus Holdings Limited (Sheffield, UK), a cell imaging company. The acquisitions are expected to strengthen Bruker’s position in molecular diagnostics and microscopy, respectively.

According to a Dec. 26 regulatory filing, Bruker will acquire ELITech for a purchase price derived from an enterprise value of USD 966.1 million, subject to certain adjustments. ELITech has been owned and operated by private equity firm PAI Partners (Paris, France) since 2017. ELITech specializes in developing and manufacturing IVD instruments and reagents and enjoys a strong market position in niche IVD segments in molecular diagnostics and microbiology. The company offers products to hospitals and laboratories for diagnosing diseases, identifying disease risk factors, and optimizing treatment choices. ELITech has undertaken transformative initiatives, such as R&D investments, the launch of next-generation molecular diagnostics systems, and new strategic partnerships for product development. These initiatives have strengthened ELITech’s competitive position and improved its reputation as an industry innovator, resulting in significant financial growth and profitability.

“Our partnership with PAI, together with the hard work and drive for innovation of our teams, have helped develop ELITech into the company that it is today,” said Christoph Gauer, CEO of ELITech Group. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see that our collective efforts have been a success and position us well for this exciting next chapter. I’d like to thank PAI for their support over the years and look forward to what the ELITech team can achieve as part of Bruker.”

In a separate transaction, Bruker has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Phasefocus, a privately held company with leading expertise in imaging and image processing algorithms. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Phasefocus has developed a novel optical microscope, called Livecyte, for label-free imaging that is based on strong algorithms and patented technology. Phasefocus’ microscopy capabilities will enhance Bruker’s existing portfolio, enabling new research advances in a range of cell imaging applications while Bruker’s global reach will help build on Phasefocus’ success to date.

“Phasefocus has extensive image processing and algorithm expertise that they have nicely deployed in their Livecyte product,” said Dr. Frank Burgaezy, President AXS division. “This is a good addition to our broad imaging portfolio and their technology will enable us to drive further product developments.”

“We are very pleased to join Bruker,” added Dr. Martin Humphry, CEO of Phasefocus. “Joining forces with a leading life-science tools provider with broad geographic reach enables us to give many more researchers access to our products for investigation of dynamic single cell behavior.”