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Thermo Fisher Scientific Acquires Cell Sorting Technology From Propel Labs

NEW YORK – Thermo Fisher Scientific said on Wednesday that it has acquired cell sorting technology assets from biotech instrumentation company Propel Labs, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sidis that is based in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Under the agreement, Propel Labs' Bigfoot Spectral Cell Sorter technology is becoming part of Thermo Fisher's Biosciences business in its Life Sciences Solutions segment. Thermo Fisher will also take on approximately 40 employees from Propel Labs, which will continue as a separate entity and still serve existing customers.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

According to Thermo Fisher, the Bigfoot Spectral Cell Sorter will enhance its existing flow cytometry offering by providing more powerful sorting capabilities, faster throughput, and novel safety features. Specifically, it speeds up cell sorting up to tenfold compared to other technologies while maintaining cell viability and improving ease of use, and it has an integrated Class II biocontainment system.

"We look forward to welcoming the highly talented members of the Propel Labs Bigfoot team who bring additional flow cytometry expertise, R&D capabilities, and engineering strength to Thermo Fisher, helping to further elevate our cell analysis and cell therapy research business," said Mark Stevenson, executive VP and chief operating officer of Thermo Fisher, in a statement.

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