Luminex Corp has entered a definitive agreement to acquire privately held EraGen Biosciences Inc, a producer of molecular diagnostic testing technologies for infectious disease and genetic applications. Under the terms of the agreement Luminex will purchase all outstanding shares of EraGen for approximately $34 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction is anticipated to close within the next several weeks.

The acquisition of EraGen Biosciences provides Luminex with access to a highly complementary portfolio of molecular diagnostic assays based on a proprietary technology platform called MultiCode®. This assay chemistry is a flexible platform for both real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and multiplex PCR-based applications. In addition to an expanded offering of new assays, the acquisition of EraGen will broaden Luminex’ product offering to its existing customer base, open new market opportunities with new customers, and accelerate future product development.

"We are excited by the opportunity to expand our capabilities and product line in the important and rapidly growing infectious disease and molecular diagnostic markets with high growth, high margin, complementary assays," said Patrick J. Balthrop, president and CEO of Luminex. "The acquisition of EraGen builds on the strategic investments we have made and provides additional resources for sales, support, and assay development, strengthening our leadership position and expanding our footprint within the molecular diagnostic market."

Current EraGen products include the MultiCode-RTx Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1&2 Kit, the first FDA cleared PCR-based qualitative test for the detection and typing of HSV-1 or HSV-2 from vaginal lesion swab specimens. The company also has several analyte specific reagents (ASRs) for detection of infectious agents and has developed research use only (RUO) reagents for infectious diseases associated with organ transplants.

Founded in 1999 and located in Madison, Wis; EraGen has approximately 70 employees as well as a 27,000 sq. foot ISO 13485:2003 and CMDCAS certified facility. Luminex anticipates operations will remain in Madison.

Source: Luminex Corp