Invitrogen To Acquire Immunological Reagent Provider Caltag Laboratories
"Caltag's expertise in producing antibodies and reagents for flow cytometry applications adds another key capability to Invitrogen's proteomics portfolio that we strengthened earlier this year with the acquisition of Zymed Laboratories and its 3,000 antibodies and related products," said Gregory T. Lucier, Chairman and CEO of Invitrogen Corporation. "Caltag also strengthens Invitrogen's new Antibody Center of Excellence that we have established in the San Francisco Bay Area."
Caltag's expanding collection of antibodies is currently used in cellular research to detect cell surface and intercellular markers in human, rat and mouse cells. Caltag is also a pioneer in the development and introduction of tandem dyes for multi-color flow cytometry -- a widely-used method for measuring the number of cells in a given sample, the percentage of living cells in that sample, as well as cell characteristics such as size, shape or even the presence of tumor markers on the cell surface.
"As proteomics drives disease research forward, Invitrogen is creating a powerful collection of technologies to address critical applications in the field," added Cheri Walker, Vice President of Proteomics for Invitrogen. "Caltag's strength in supporting flow cytometry work is a natural fit for this goal through its synergies with Invitrogen's upstream proteomics technologies."
In addition to its work in the research market, Caltag has developed a number of technologies for diagnostic applications. Fifteen of the company's products have been cleared-to-date by the FDA through the 510(k) process for use as Class II In-Vitro Diagnostic Devices. Additionally, the company's facilities meet GMP requirements, enabling it to register approximately 500 antibodies as Class I Analyte Specific Reagents (ASRs) with the FDA. The company's subsidiary in Germany currently offers more than 200 antibodies which are CE marked in nine different languages for European Union diagnostic sales.
Invitrogen, through several recent initiatives, has positioned itself as an essential supplier of technologies to companies in the research and clinical diagnostics area. Caltag's technology strength adds to Invitrogen's overall support of this important space.
"Adding our robust immunological technology collection to Invitrogen's broad proteomics portfolio will create a powerful solution for researchers looking for quality and consistency throughout their studies," said Helga Johnson, President and co-founder of Caltag.
Caltag's approximately 50 local employees will remain in the San Francisco area as part of Invitrogen's Antibody Center of Excellence. In the twelve months following the acquisition, Caltag is expected to generate sales of approximately $10 million. Invitrogen expects the transaction to be neutral to 2005 pro forma earnings per share, and 2 cents accretive in 2006.