Beckman Coulter, which provides biomedical testing instruments, tests and supplies, has agreed to acquire Biosite, a clinical diagnostic supplier, in a deal worth $1.55bn (€1.16bn) on Monday.
The acquisition will significantly strengthen Beckman Coulter's position in the diagnostics market by extending the company's "near-patient" testing market.
"This is an exciting transaction that grew out of our successful relationship with Biosite over the past four years in the area of B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), a test that aids in the diagnosis, risk stratification and assessment of severity of heart failure and the risk stratification of patients with acute coronary syndromes," said Scott Garrett, Beckman Coulter's CEO.
"It will position Beckman Coulter as a leading provider of immunoassay tests, especially within cardiac diagnostics."
Roche Diagnostics announced on Thursday that it has agreed to buy 454 Life Sciences, from Curagen Corporation in a deal worth up to $155m.
Roche has been the worldwide exclusive distributor of 454's Genome Sequencer systems since 2005 and the deal will ensure the company access to 454's sequencing technology for in-vitro diagnostic applications.
"This acquisition is part of our strategy to strengthen our position as a major player in the sequencing market. Our existing collaboration is very successful and we welcome 454 Life Sciences and its employees to the Roche Diagnostics Division," said Severin Schwan, CEO of Roche Diagnostics.
Roche plans to maintain the 454 facility in Branford, Connecticut, and its 167 employees as a fully integrated part of the organisation.
According to Curagen the deal will allow the company to focus on bringing its oncology products to market.
Evolved digital, a medical software and IT company, announced on Tuesday that it had approved the asset sale of its Canadian operations to Shimadzu for $8.5m.
The money raised from the sale will be used to pay off secured debt, including the $4.4m owed to the Argosy Bridge Fund and Garantie Quebec.
Evolved said that the proposal is non-binding and that there was no guarantee that the transaction would be completed.
