Becton, Dickinson expands flow cytometry product line.

Franklin Lakes, NJ 5/13/08 -- Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) have acquired all of the outstanding stock of Cytopeia. Based in Seattle, Washington, Cytopeia develops and markets flow cytometry cell sorting instruments, including the Influx cell sorter. Financial terms were not disclosed. "This strategic acquisition brings new technologies and capabilities that will enhance BD's ability to address growing customer needs in advanced applications, such as cell therapy research," stated William A. Kozy, BD executive vice president. Cytopeia President and CTO Ger van den Engh will join BD Biosciences as vice president, Advanced Cytometry.

Cytopeia is a spin off of the Institute for Systems Biology. The Influx is a compact, modular, three-laser flow cytometer sorter with a sorting rate of 50,000 cells per second. The acquisition increases the competition in the flow cytometry market, as BD can now offer a completely new product line. Beckman Coulter acquired the number 3 player in the market, Dako A/S, last year (see IBO 11/30/07).