Life Technologies acquires Advanced Microscopy Group

Biotechnology company Life Technologies (NASDAQ:LIFE; Carlsbad, CA) has acquired microscopy systems developer Advanced Microscopy Group (AMG; Bothell, WA), a division of Westover Scientific. The acquisition enables Life Technologies to expand its product line of cell imaging instrumentation as well as leverage its portfolio of fluorescent dyes and reagents. It also provides new product development opportunities for both laboratory and portable imaging devices.

The microscopy market size is estimated to be approximately $770 million. To that end, the acquisition is expected to be neutral to the company's 2012 earnings, accretive to 2013 earnings and accretive to the company's overall ROIC by 2015. The financial terms of the deal are not being disclosed. AMG's existing business will remain in Bothell, WA, and will join Life Technologies' Flow Cytometry and Imaging business unit.