EMD Millipore to acquire Biotest
Adds capabilities in Ready-To-Use media and hygiene monitoring
EMD Millipore, the life science division of Merck KGaA in Germany, is growing its microbiological testing business following Merck’s acquisition of Germany based Biotest. The deal will add capabilities in Ready-To-Use media and hygiene monitoring franchises for the pharmaceutical sector.
Biotest’s microbiology businesses (heipha Dr. Mueller and Hycon) employ around 290 people and had sales of approximately €50m (US$70m) in 2010. The products are primarily used in the pharmaceutical, food & beverage and personal care industries.
‘This acquisition is a great strategic fit on many levels. Not only do we expand our portfolio in a critical growth area of RTU media, there are also many synergies in production, product and market development and – important to both companies - customer collaboration,’ said Roland Heinrich, head of EMD Millipore’s Biomonitoring business.
‘In addition to Ready-to-Use media, it will also add particle counting and strengthen air monitoring in our hygiene monitoring portfolio.’
The transaction is expected to close in the second half the year.