Thermo Fisher Scientific to Acquire Transplant Diagnostics Leader One Lambda

Thermo Fisher Scientific (Waltham, MA, USA) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire One Lambda (Canoga Park, CA, USA), pioneer and global leader in transplant diagnostics, for USD 925 million in cash. One Lambda, whose business generated revenue of USD 182 million in 2011, will become part of Thermo Fisher’s Specialty Diagnostics Segment.

One Lambda develops its own transplant diagnostic tests utilizing serological, molecular, ELISA, flow, and Luminex xMAP technologies. The company also manufactures laboratory instrumentation and computer software that are used to simplify and automate testing procedures and final test evaluations. The transaction is expected enhance Thermo Fisher's presence in specialty in vitro diagnostics as growth in transplant diagnostics is being driven by increasing global demand. The specialized technology supports a broad portfolio of high-margin reagents in HLA (human leukocyte antigen) typing and antibody detection. New workflow capabilities will be added, as One Lambda's pre- and posttransplant tests will complement Thermo Fisher’s existing immunosuppressant assays. Thermo Fisher expects to leverage its extensive commercial capabilities to accelerate growth in One Lambda’s existing portfolio, which is currently marketed primarily to physicians and laboratories in the USA.

"With its strong technology platform, high margin profile, and good growth prospects, the business is perfectly aligned with our specialty in vitro diagnostics strategy," said Marc N. Casper, president, and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher. George M. Ayoub, cofounder, president, and chief executive officer of One Lambda, added "I believe that, together, we will […] accelerate growth and improve the success rate of transplantation."

The transaction, anticipated for completion in the fourth quarter of 2012, is expected to be immediately accretive upon close and to generate revenue and cost synergies for a total adjusted operating income benefit of approximately USD 15 million in 2015. Thermo Fisher also announced an authorization to repurchase an additional USD 500 million of shares of its own common stock. “The acquisition of One Lambda […] demonstrates our ongoing commitment to effectively deploying our capital to create shareholder value,” Casper said.

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