Analytical imaging instrumentation maker Malvern Instruments (Malvern, England) has acquired nanoparticle characterization company NanoSight (Amesbury, England), effective September 27, 2013.
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NanoSight developed and commercialized nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). The company's instrumentation and software enable rapid, simultaneous multi-parameter analysis and characterization of many different types of nanoscale particles. With their ability to analyze particle size, concentration, zeta potential, and aggregation, the company's systems align with Malvern's Zetasizer range, extending Malvern's solutions for those working at the nanoscale.
Right now, the largest application area for NTA is in measuring biological nanoparticles, where one of the most exciting and rapidly expanding fields is exosomes (intercellular messengers whose quantity and biochemical composition reflect the disease status of an individual). NanoSight's technology provides quantitative detection and characterization capabilities to make exosomes a viable proposition as biomarkers for drug discovery, disease prognosis, diagnosis, and monitoring, as well as personalized medicine.
NanoSight employs around 50 people worldwide and will continue to operate from its current facilities in Amesbury under the existing management team. Malvern's direct sales operations in key geographies and wider global presence will be used to make the NanoSight instruments and aftersales support more accessible to a wider market.
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