HENNIGSDORF, Germany - B-R-A-H-M-S, a leading diagnostics company, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, join forces to establish a European Center of Excellence for clinical diagnostics with a focus on innovative biomarkers.
B-R-A-H-M-S announces the signature of a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) for 100% of the share capital of B-R-A-H-M-S Holding GmbH in the amount of EUR 330 million (approx. USD 470 million) including debt and other liabilities. The transaction, which is subject to applicable regulatory approvals, is expected to be closed in late September.
B-R-A-H-M-S will become part of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Specialty Diagnostics business, an approximately USD $1.3 billion business within Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Analytical Technologies segment. B-R-A-H-M-S will form the core of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s future European Center of Excellence for its clinical diagnostics businesses. The Center, located at B-R-A-H-M-S’ current site in Hennigsdorf, Brandenburg, in the vicinity of Berlin, will leverage both companies’ strengths and expertise in this field.
B-R-A-H-M-S is Germany’s third largest biotech company and owns several hundred patents with a focus on innovative biomarkers. Thermo Fisher Scientific, a NYSE-listed company with revenues of USD $10.5 billion in 2008 and approximately 34,000 employees, offers an extensive worldwide product distribution network, specialty diagnostics testing and expertise, as well as substantial operational and financial strengths.
Marijn E. Dekkers, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific, said, “B-R-A-H-M-S is a significant addition to our specialty diagnostics portfolio, bringing exciting new products and technologies to an area of our company that offers some of our greatest opportunities for growth. B-R-A-H-M-S’ assays and instrumentation are a strong complement to our existing products for immunoassay testing, and its robust R&D pipeline creates promising opportunities to commercialize new patented diagnostic tests. In addition, the company gives us a significant reagent manufacturing footprint in Europe, while allowing us to leverage our deep customer access in the U.S. to market innovative new B-R-A-H-M-S products, such as PCT and others now in development. This acquisition reinforces our strategy of building on our leadership in niche specialty diagnostics markets.”
Dr. Bernd Wegener, B-R-A-H-M-S’ Chief Executive Officer, explains: “Since the management buy-out in 1994 B-R-A-H-M-S’ founders and key executives have developed the company into Germany’s third largest biotech company. Today B-R-A-H-M-S has an attractive product portfolio and a strong pipeline. Going forward, we were looking for a strategic partner with a complementary profile and global presence. Joining forces with Thermo Fisher Scientific was the logical next step for our enterprise. Together we will run the entire value chain from R&D through manufacturing to marketing, sales and distribution with access to the global markets.”
Thermo Fisher Scientific has a proven track-record in integrating companies while safeguarding their entrepreneurial culture. This is reflected in its commitment to build on B-R-A-H-M-S’ excellent foundation in biomarkers, clinical development and operations. As a result, the combination offers attractive opportunities for employees; they will benefit from broader personal development and international career perspectives. Senior B-R-A-H-M-S staff members have committed to continue building and expanding the business and assure a smooth business transition.
By establishing B-R-A-H-M-S’ headquarters in Hennigsdorf as its European Center of Excellence for clinical diagnostics, Thermo Fisher Scientific plans to leverage the site to further expand its diagnostics business in Europe. This will provide substantial growth momentum for the community, creating additional high-tech jobs and eventually boosting Hennigsdorf’s biotech cluster to European dimensions.
Since 2005 the private equity investor HBM BioVentures has provided strategic financing for B-R-A-H-M-S. HBM BioVentures has actively sought this strategic partnership. The present transaction is a milestone for B-R-A-H-M-S and a showcase for HBM BioVentures’ successful investment management approach.
About B-R-A-H-M-S
The B-R-A-H-M-S Aktiengesellschaft conducts researches, develops, produces and markets innovative diagnostic biomarkers. It is one of the three largest biotechnology companies in Germany. The company sells its products in more than 65 countries via its own subsidiary companies and sales organizations as well as laboratory systems from its own production and globally operating licensees. The headquarter of B-R-A-H-M-S is at Hennigsdorf / Berlin, where about 220 out of 400 of the world wide employees of the company are posted. Visit www.brahms.de .
About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With 2008 revenues of USD $10.5 billion, we have approximately 34,000 employees and serve over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as environmental and industrial process control settings. Serving customers through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, we help solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research and discovery. Thermo Scientific offers customers a complete range of high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated laboratory workflow solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a complete portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education. Together, we offer the most convenient purchasing options to customers and continuously advance our technologies to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, enhance value for customers and fuel growth for shareholders and employees alike. Visit www.thermofisher.com .
Contact: B-R-A-H-M-S Aktiengesellschaft Ingo Buchholzer Public Relations Manager Phone: +49(0)3302-883 -170 Email: changes@brahms.de www.brahms.de
Source: BRAHMS Aktiengesellschaft
Contact: B-R-A-H-M-S Aktiengesellschaft, Ingo Buchholzer, Public Relations Manager, Phone: +49(0)3302-883 -170, Email: changes at brahms.de, http://www.brahms.de
Related Press Releases
Physical Gold Ltd. to Offer Gold SIPPs to UK Retail InvestorsSeptember 10th, 2009 LONDON -
Physical Gold Ltd. today announces the official launch of its partnership with Pointon York SIPP Solutions to offer UK retail investors the opportunity to include solid gold bars into UK Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs).
Frost & Sullivan: Self-Monitoring and POC Diabetes Tests Reveal Potential for Significant Growth, Boosting the European Diabetes Diagnostics MarketJune 22nd, 2009 LONDON - The European diabetes diagnostics market is poised for expansion with segments such as self-monitoring and point-of-care (POC) tests offering tremendous growth potential. Heightened efforts to generate awareness about diabetes and related diagnostic tests are a key driver in market development.
Lockheed Martin Marks 25th Anniversary of World's First Hit-to-Kill Missile InterceptJune 14th, 2009 PARIS - Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the world's first hit-to-kill intercept of a ballistic missile target outside the earth's atmosphere. The U.S. Army's Homing Overlay Experiment vehicle, developed by a Lockheed Martin-led team, destroyed a test missile above the Pacific Ocean June 10, 1984.
Agendia Supports Genentech's Citizen's Petition Urging FDA to Hold In-Vitro Diagnostic Tests to One Set of Scientific and Regulatory StandardsMay 27th, 2009 HUNTINGTON BEACH, California, and AMSTERDAM - Agendia, a world leader in molecular cancer diagnostics, today announced its strong support of Genentech's Citizen's Petition. Filed on December 5, 2008, Docket No.
Copan and POCARED Diagnostics Partner to Enhance the Use of Liquid Based Microbiology and Introduce the Next Generation Microbiology SystemsMay 17th, 2009 BRESCIA, Italy - Alliance Aims to Develop Powerful Tools for Accurate and Rapid Microbiology Testing Leading to Improved Patient Outcomes
Under the partnership, the two companies will enhance the use of liquid based microbiology diagnostic products that incorporate Copan innovative collection and transport devices (like ESwab) for use in combination with POCARED's real-time quantification and identification platform. The Copan and POCARED partnership will also introduce a new level of automation and ease of use.
Vectone Launches the Future of Calling Cards: ZeroZeroApril 29th, 2009 LONDON - Vectone, the international call specialist has launched the future of calling cards: ZeroZero. The first product of its kind in the UK, ZeroZero is a pre-paid, call routing gadget that gives users the option to make calling card rate, international calls from their mobile.
Clinical Genomics Continues Progress in Developing Biomarker Portfolio for Colorectal Cancer TestingApril 28th, 2009 SYDNEY - To Receive Milestone Payments from Quest Diagnostics
Clinical Genomics Pty Ltd, an Australian biotechnology company, announced today that Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information and services, has agreed to provide milestone payments over the next two years to Clinical Genomics to further develop its portfolio of gene-based biomarkers associated with early onset of colorectal cancer. Clinical Genomics was awarded the payments after successfully achieving key research and development goals.
ViewRay Incorporated Closes US$15M Tranche of Series B Financing and Announces Partnership with Siemens AGApril 13th, 2009 OAKWOOD VILLAGE, Ohio - ViewRay Incorporated, a medical device company, announces the close of the second tranche of their US$25M Series B financing. Funding was triggered by the company's achievement of a major milestone towards the development of their image guided cancer therapy device, the Renaissance(TM) System.
Vectone Increases its Value to Norwegian Customers With Free International Weekend CallsApril 5th, 2009 LONDON - Vectone mobile, the international call specialists, are demonstrating their ongoing commitment to their Norwegian Customers by offering free international weekend calls to selected popular destinations with every Top up. Simply by topping-up in the week, a number of free minutes will be available to over 10 destinations the following weekend.
Vectone Looks to Acquire MNO's to Expand it's MVNO ServicesApril 1st, 2009 LONDON - Vectone, the expanding European telecommunications group has announced it has made an offer for two subsidiaries of Nordisk Mobiltelefon, the Scandinavian telco group, which has recently gone into administration. The addition of Mobiltelefon MNO's in Ireland and Poland, if successful, will add to it's existing networks across Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Norway.
Related News
Carrie Fisher brings 'Wishful Drinking,' her one-woman show, to BroadwayApril 30th, 2009 Carrie Fisher brings one-woman show to BroadwayNEW YORK — Carrie Fisher will bring her tales of growing up in Hollywood to Broadway next season. Fisher, the daughter of Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, will open her one-woman show, "Wishful Drinking," Oct.
Dutch-born Marijn Dekkers tapped to take over German drug-maker Bayer in 2010September 15th, 2009 Bayer names Dekkers as next CEOBERLIN — German chemical and pharmaceutical company Bayer AG announced Tuesday that it has tapped Marijn Dekkers to take over as its chief executive in October 2010. Dekkers, who has both Dutch and U.S.
Lakers' Fisher ejected late in 3rd quarter against HoustonMay 8th, 2009 Lakers' Derek Fisher ejected against HoustonLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher was ejected with 13 seconds remaining in the third quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal series against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. Fisher was called for a flagrant foul when he collided with Luis Scola as the Rockets brought the ball up the court.
Scientific community wanted more tests, says SanthanamAugust 27th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Top defence scientist Dr.K. Santhanam said on Thursday that the scientific community in India had felt after the May 1998 nuclear tests that there should be another test to complete the research.
Continucare says it bought sleep study testing facility operator for an undisclosed amountAugust 13th, 2009 Continucare buys Professional Sleep DiagnosticsMIAMI — Continucare Corp. said Thursday it bought Professional Sleep Diagnostics Inc., a company that operates 13 sleep diagnostic centers, for an undisclosed amount.
Analyst upgrades PerkinElmer on lower stock price and estimates following 2nd qtr reportAugust 13th, 2009 PerkinElmer rises after upgrade to 'Outperform'NEW YORK — Shares of PerkinElmer Inc. traded higher Thursday after an analyst upgraded the stock, saying its price, and Wall Street expectations, have fallen to more reasonable levels in the last two weeks.
Man livid over knife-using woman tattooist escaping jail sentenceMarch 22nd, 2009 LONDON - A Brit man, who was left scarred after a woman "tattooed" him with a craft knife, is furious that she has not been sentenced to jail. Wayne Robinson, 24, revealed that after he woke up from a boozy slumber, he discovered that Dominique Fisher had etched her name on his shoulder and carved tribal markings on his back and arms.
Rafer Alston, Derek Fisher suspended by NBA for separate incidentsMay 8th, 2009 Alston, Fisher suspended by NBANEW YORK — Rafer Alston of Orlando and Derek Fisher of the Los Angeles Lakers have each been suspended for the next game of their playoff series. In the Magic's 112-94 loss on Tuesday night, Boston's Eddie House was celebrating as after making a shot when Alston reached out and slapped him in the back of the head.
Lakers' Fisher, Houston's Artest ejected in Game 2 of Western Conference semifinalsMay 9th, 2009 Lakers' Derek Fisher, Houston's Artest ejectedLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher and Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest were ejected in separate incidents in the second half of Wednesday night's Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. Fisher was called for a flagrant foul with 13 seconds left in the third quarter when he collided with Luis Scola as the Rockets brought the ball up the court.
Detroit Lions release DB Fisher, QB Henson and sign younger brother of Arizona's BoldinMay 1st, 2009 Lions release Fisher, Henson, sign WR Demir BoldinALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions have released defensive back Travis Fisher and quarterback Drew Henson and signed wide receiver Demir Boldin.
