NEW YORK – Danaher announced on Thursday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aldevron for approximately $9.6 billion.
Fargo, North Dakota-based Aldevron manufactures plasmid DNA, mRNA, and proteins for biotechnology and pharmaceutical customers in research, clinical, and commercial applications. The firm was founded in 1998, employs around 600 people, and is privately held.
Aldevron will operate as a standalone company and brand within Danaher's Life Sciences segment, which includes firms such as Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, Cytiva, Pall, Integrated DNA Technologies, Sciex, and several others.
The Washington, DC-based conglomerate plans to finance the acquisition using cash on hand and/or proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper.
"Aldevron has made tremendous contributions to the advancement of cell, gene and other novel therapies and vaccines," said Danaher CEO Rainer Blair in a statement. "This acquisition will expand our capabilities into the important field of genomic medicine and help us support our customers and their critical mission to bring more life-saving therapies and vaccines to market faster."
Shares of Danaher were up approximately 3 percent at $251.63 in Thursday morning trade on the New York Stock Exchange.