Will apply Advalytix's technology to enhance analytical reactions on diagnostic instrumentation and to expand into new areas such as single-cell PCR or lab-on-a-chip in routine diagnostics
Olympus Life and Material Science Europa has acquired the privately held European microfluidics company Advalytix.
With this move, Olympus says it demonstrates its commitment to its fast-growing in vitro diagnostics and life sciences businesses.
The acquisition provides Olympus with key technologies to maximise growth in innovative analytical systems.
"The acquisition of Advalytix represents great opportunities for Olympus worldwide," said Stephen Wasserman, group vice president, diagnostic systems group, Olympus America.
"It positions Olympus at the very forefront of the latest technological developments in the life sciences, puts us at the centre of business opportunities in this rapidly expanding field, and helps us sustain our double digit growth".
Olympus will apply Advalytix's technology to enhance analytical reactions on diagnostic instrumentation and to expand into new areas such as single-cell PCR (polymerase chain reaction) or lab-on-a-chip in routine diagnostics.
Microfluidics, used to manipulate liquids in the submicrolitre range, is a key technology for both in vitro diagnostics and molecular biology research.
By miniaturising liquid volumes, scarce samples and expensive reagents are conserved.
Advalytix's proprietary technology has been commercialised with the SlideBooster hybridisation and AdvaWash washing stations, targeted at the microarray market.
The company is also developing products and protocols for the genetic analysis of single cells.
Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and its parent company to leverage R and D investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines.
These include gastrointestinal endoscopes, accessories, and minimally invasive surgical products, advanced clinical and research microscopes, lab automation systems, chemistry-immuno and blood bank analysers and reagents, and digital and film cameras, and digital voice recorders.
In the USA and Canada, Olympus serves healthcare, scientific and commercial laboratory markets with integrated product solutions and financial, educational and consulting services that it says help customers efficiently, reliably, safely, and easily achieve superior results.
Olympus Diagnostic Systems provides the US market with innovative solutions that meet the high productivity demands of hospitals, integrated healthcare delivery networks, reference labs, blood banks and pharmaceutical labs.
Olympus says it offers the broadest standardised line of random access chemistry-immuno analysers, along with lab automation systems, comprehensive patient safety systems, blood bank analysers and reagents.
Olympus says its products save laboratories time, enhance patient safety, maximise productivity, and deliver fast, reliable results.
Olympus Life and Material Science Europa unites the fields of microscopy and diagnostics covering a broad spectrum of customer needs ranging from microscope systems for life and material science, to high-performance diagnostics instruments and reagents for IVD laboratories.
The company belongs to the Olympus Europe group and represents the worldwide centre of excellence for Olympus IVD reagents, lab automation and bioanalytical software of the Olympus Diagnostic division.
This division of Olympus provides innovative and intelligent solutions that meet the high productivity demands of hospitals, integrated healthcare delivery networks, reference labs, blood banks and pharmaceutical labs.
Olympus offers a broad standardised line of random access chemistry-immuno systems including reagents, along with lab automation systems and is an established system provider in the segments of electrophoresis and transfusion testing.
Advalytix pioneered the use of surface acoustic waves for manipulation and agitation of small liquid volumes.
Advalytix develops and produces instruments for biochemical research such as microarray hybridisation (SlideBooster) and washing stations (AdvaWash).
It licences its proprietary liquid handling technology for OEM solutions integrating noninvasive mixing into a wide variety of applications.
