Becton Dickinson & Co. (NYSE:BDX) acquired GenCell Biosystems, an Irish startup with a system to automate the creation of "libraries" that help scientists sequence gene information.
In separate BD news, the company reportedly is laying off 60 workers at a San Jose, Calif., facility where it employs nearly 1,000 people.
BD did not disclose the terms of the GenCell transaction. The Franklin Lakes, N.J.-based company is in the midst of a $12.2 billion acquisition of infusion pump vendor CareFusion (NYSE:CFN).
Privately held and backed by Enterprise Ireland, since its 2011 launch GenCell has created an automated platform that it says has the potential to address key unmet customer needs in library preparation for the next-generation sequencing of genes.
GenCell has its headquarters in Limerick, Ireland, plus a U.S. sales office in Madison, Wis.
"We are excited with the GenCell Biosystems acquisition as it provides BD entry into the next generation sequencing market, a fast-growing segment with the potential to have a significant impact on healthcare," said Linda Tharby, group president of life sciences at BD, in prepared remarks. "The acquisition gives BD access to the NGS market with a differentiated platform that will provide a base to further grow our genomics offerings."
BD bolstered its California presence in 2013 with the $40 million acquisition of Alverix, a maker of diagnostics systems. The company is cutting 60 Golden State jobs in San Jose, a spokeswoman told Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News.
"BD is taking strategic business actions to ensure that we are investing in the right capabilities to position the company for long-term growth and optimize efficiencies in our operating performance," Abigail Cardona told the website. "Continually reviewing and transforming how we do business is critical to remaining successful in a highly competitive environment. These decisions are extremely difficult and are not made lightly, but we cannot achieve our purpose without improving our performance."