Dassault Systemes and Accelrys to merge

Dassault Systèmes is to buy US lifecycle management software firm Accelrys in an all-cash deal valuing the San Diego-based company at around US$750m.

The French manufacturer of 3D design software and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions for the energy, aerospace and industrial goods sectors said combining with Accelrys would 'enrich the molecular chemistry capabilities from discovery to manufacturing and regulatory requirements of Dassault Systèmes.'

'We share the same passion for enabling scientific innovation and are confident that together, leveraging the great Accelrys assets, we will deliver a unique and unmatched scientific PLM solution,' said Bernard Charlès, President and CEO, Dassault Systèmes.

Accelrys works with major industry players in pharma/biotech, consumer packaged goods and chemicals, including Sanofi, Pfizer, GSK, AstraZeneca, DuPont, Shell, BASF, P&G, Unilever and L’Oréal.

The transaction is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2014.

Accelrys has recently launched ScienceCloud, a new information management and collaboration workspace that advances collaborative drug discovery with a new generation of integrated applications built on a scalable, cloud-based scientific platform.

'Today, approximately 30% of R&D spend is allocated beyond company boundaries and up to 50% of discovery work is done through partner alliances,' said Matt Hahn, SVP and Chief Technology Officer at Accelrys. 'With nearly 80% of pharma companies still exchanging information by e-mail, e-room or repurposed legacy systems, technology providers like Accelrys need to address this changing business model better. ScienceCloud introduces a needed solution, providing a flexible but robust workspace where collaborators can access and share the data and apps they need to drive successful outcomes in a fast-changing, global and mobile research landscape.'