Agilent acquires spectroscopy firm Cobalt Light Systems for £40m

Cobalt is located in Oxford, which is set become Agilent’s global centre for Raman spectroscopy (see image).

Raman spectroscopy is one of the fastest-growing spectroscopy segments and has the potential to revolutionise the pharmaceutical industry and airport security, said Innovate UK, which granted Cobalt Light Systems £180,000 in 2012.

James Heydari, lead on Innovate UK’s smart and open programme, said: “Particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, ambitious young start-ups can find it difficult to develop, trial and commercialise new products.

“For a company that’s still less than 10 years’ old, Cobalt Light Systems’ success in capitalising on the growing market of Raman spectroscopy should be celebrated. Early-stage funding gave a helpful start. Now, the acquisition by Agilent will allow them to scale-up further and reach a wider customer base.”

Cobalt Light Systems’ spectroscopic instruments are designed to enable non-invasive, through-barrier identification of chemicals and materials.

This includes analysing materials hidden inside objects or through opaque barriers such as plastic, coloured glass, paper or skin.

Phil Binns, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s spectroscopy and vacuum solutions division, said: “This acquisition gives our customers access to state-of-the-art Raman spectroscopy technology. It also provides Agilent immediate entry into this fast-growing segment with a highly competitive, differentiated offering.”