Cepheid Acquires Sangtec Molecular Diagnostics AB

Cepheid (Sunnyvale, CA, USA) has acquired Sangtec Molecular Diagnostics AB (Bromma, Sweden) from the Nycomed-owned Altana Pharma AG for approximately US$27 million in cash. Sangtec develops and manufactures polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular diagnostics products.

The acquisition of Sangtec immediately brings Cepheid three key strategic benefits. First, Sangtec currently has a relatively complete line of products for potential use in managing infections of immunocompromised patients. Second, Sangtec has a very strong R&D team experienced in developing real time [RT]-PCR based products which will enable Cepheid to more expeditiously expand its clinical test product menu. Third, Sangtec has an accomplished manufacturing team noted for its ability to produce high quality products. This team will provide Cepheid with an established reagent manufacturing base in Europe, said Cepheid CEO John Bishop.

Cepheid plans to integrate the Sangtec affigene family of RT-PCR molecular diagnostic kits targeted at the immunocompromised market into its existing European and U.S. portfolio of in vitro diagnostic products. The expanded line will include affigene assay kits for Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Varicella Zoster virus (VZV), BK virus (BKV), and Aspergillus.


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