Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) acquired proteomics analysis supplier Proxeon A/S for an undisclosed amount.
Odense, Denmark-based Proxeon, which posted sales of roughly $10 million last year and employs about 40 workers, provides nanoflow liquid chromatography systems, columns, ion sources and bio-informatics software for the chromatography/mass spectrometry market.
The deal appears to be part of Thermo Fisher‘s move to expand its already large footprint in mass spectrometry. In December 2009, CEO Marc Casper told MassDevice that the company would look to expand the applications its mass spec instruments can address.
“What we have been very focused on is taking what has historically been a research tool — proteomics research is where a lot of these instruments are used and we have a very special reputation there — we’ve been taking these instruments and putting them into more routine applications,” Casper told us. “So that you’re seeing the adoption of mass spec in food safety applications, you’re seeing it in clinical applications, you’re seeing it in environmental applications and you’re seeing a much more widespread use a of mass spectrometers in general and of Thermo Fisher mass spectrometers in particular. That’s been a big focus, it’s a big expenditure for us and we’re excited about it.”
In prepared remarks announcing the Proxeon deal, Casper added, “These systems can be easily integrated with our leading ion trap, hybrid and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry systems, in line with our strategy of providing comprehensive LC/MS solutions for both high-end research and routine applications.”
Thermo Fisher posted record sales during the fourth quarter, but full-year sales suffered from the downturn in the capital expenditures market earlier in 2009.
The Waltham, Mass.-based lab instruments and services provider posted sales of $2.84 billion during the three months ended Dec. 31, 2009, up 7.3 percent compared with $2.65 billion during the same period in 2008. Net income slipped 4.8 percent to $273 million, or 65 cents per diluted share, compared with $287 million, or 67 cents per share, during Q4 2008.
Sales were off 3.7 percent to $10.11 billion for the full year, compared with $10.5 billion during 2008. Net income reached $850 million, or $2.01 per diluted share, down 13.3 percent compared with $981 million, or $2.25 per diluted share, during the prior year.
