PerkinElmer acquires Improvision

PerkinElmer, a global technology leader in health sciences and photonics, has acquired UK company Improvision in a cash transaction.

Based in Coventry, Improvision is a leading provider of cellular imaging software and integrated hardware solutions used in life sciences research. The company had revenue of approximately £6m in 2006.

Improvision's flagship offering is Volocity, a high-performance, high-throughput 3D and 4D imaging software solution that allows users to capture, visualise and analyse images of dynamic cell-based processes, as well as integrated software and hardware solutions for the control and analysis of microscopy systems.

Volocity complements PerkinElmer's UltraVIEW live cell imaging system, which captures high-speed, high-resolution, multi-dimensional images of live biological samples including cultured cells, tissues and embryos. Additionally, Improvision provides integrated software and hardware solutions for microscopy systems control and data analysis.

'This acquisition strengthens our leading capability in the fast-growing field of advanced cellular sciences,' said Gregory L. Summe, PerkinElmer chairman and ceo. 'PerkinElmer now provides pharmaceutical and academic researchers with a single source for imaging and analysis solutions that will help increase their understanding of disease mechanisms at the cellular level, potentially speeding the development of new therapies for conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes and cancer.'