LGC, Europe's leading provider of analytical and diagnostic services and reference standards, has acquired the Institut fur Blutgruppenforschung (IBF), which is based in Cologne
The Institut fur Blutgruppenforschung is a leader in the provision of DNA services in paternity testing and forensic genetics in Germany.
This acquisition is part of LGC's strategy to expand its DNA analysis services into mainland Europe.
Nigel Law, LGC's chief executive based in Teddington, UK, said: "We warmly welcome the managers and staff of Institut fur Blutgruppenforschung to the LGC Group".
"We see considerable synergy in the merger of the two businesses".
"LGC Forensics is an accredited provider of forensic DNA and paternity services in the UK, with a growing customer base".
"The excellent reputation of IBF makes it the ideal partner to spearhead LGC's efforts to become a leading supplier of forensic analysis in Germany".
Jurgen Henke and Lotte Henke, former owners of IBF who are staying with the business, commented: "Demand for paternity testing services in Germany is strong, as in the UK.
"The Institut fur Blutgruppenforschung is a leading provider to the courts, police and private individuals in North Rhine-Westphalia and neighbouring states.
"Recent changes of regulations regarding the extended use of forensic DNA analysis in criminal investigations in Germany have opened up new opportunities for IBF.
"We are delighted to join forces with LGC as their expertise in this field will help IBF to serve our forensic customers with confidence".
The Institut fur Blutgruppenforschung has a clinic with sampling facilities in Dusseldorf and it is assessing options to expand into other areas of Germany.
This acquisition emphasises LGC's commitment to Germany.
LGC produces pharmaceutical impurity reference standards at Luckenwalde in Brandenburg.
Its subsidiary, LGC Promochem, operates a one-stop shop for reference materials from its distribution centre in Wesel.
In January 2006, LGC acquired Agowa, a specialist genomics company based in Adlershof Biotechnologiepark, Berlin.
LGC also has operations in the UK, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and India.
