Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
(
BIO
), a worldwide provider of life science research and clinical
diagnostic products, recently inaugurated its Digital Biology
Center for the development of products based on the droplet
partitioning technology acquired by the company last year.
Following the acquisition, Bio-Rad introduced its first product
with this technology, QX100 Droplet Digital PCR system, the third
generation of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology.
This new PCR technology, which adopts advanced methods for
nucleic acid quantification, is widely accepted among researchers.
The company claims that Droplet Digital PCR has the potential to
provide new strategies for diagnosis of inherited disorders, cancer
and infectious disease. Bio-Rad also expects the prospects of this
instrument to extend the scope of the digital PCR market.
To increase its Life Science business, earlier in October 2011,
Bio-Rad purchased QuantaLife, Inc., the developer of
Droplet
Digital PCR
technology,
for a total consideration of $179.4 million. Integrating with the
QuantaLife business, Bio-Rad aimed to further expand its advanced
methods of quantitative PCR. It also expected the portfolio of
QuantaLife to complement its existing amplification business.
Bio-Rad is currently focused on expansion in both Life Science
and Clinical Diagnostics segments through acquisitions and asset
purchases. Apart from the QuantaLifeacquisition, in January 2012,
the company purchased certain assets from a raw materials supplier
for approximately $15.5 million.
This asset acquisition is expected to secure the supply of
critical raw materials, thus lowering overall costs in the Clinical
Diagnostics segment of the company. Earlier in 2011, Bio-Rad
acquired DiaMed Thailand and DiaMed Spain.
Bio-Rad operates and conducts business in many countriesoutside
the U.S. As a result, the company is exposed to movements in
foreign currency exchange rates.
The company's major competitors in the Life Science market
include
Life Technologies
(
LIFE
) and
Thermo Fisher Scientific
(
TMO
). In the Clinical Diagnostics market, the company competes with
Roche
(
RHHBY
) and
Abbott Laboratories
(
ABT
). The stock carries a Zacks #3 Rank (Hold rating in the short
term).
ABBOTT LABS (ABT): Free Stock Analysis Report
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