Invitrogen Reports Increased Q1 Revenues Despite Soft Sales
Invitrogen this week announced preliminary first-quarter financial results, posting a 12-percent jump in revenues despite sales coming in 3 percent lower than expected.
Invitrogen said revenues in the quarter were $309 million amid slower-than-anticipated sales in the company's US Bioproduction and Japan businesses.
Pro forma earnings per share for the first quarter of 2006 were slightly higher than anticipated due to improved mix, lower royalty expense and lower share count, Invitrogen said.
Looking ahead, Invitrogen said that it is widening its full year revenue guidance to a range of $1.3 billion to $1.355 billion due to first quarter performance and the anticipated discontinuation and sale of certain minor business units.
Previously, the company projected that full-year 2006 revenues would be $1.33 billion to $1.355 billion.
Pro forma earnings per share guidance remains unchanged with a range of $3.90 to $4.10.
Additional first-quarter results will be provided during a conference call on April 27.
Chemicon and Australian Stem Cell Center to Commercialize Stem Cell Reagents
Serologicals said this week that its Chemicon International subsidiary has signed an agreement with the Australian Stem Cell Center that will allow Chemicon exclusive rights to commercialize, market, and distribute stem cell reagents developed by ASCC worldwide.
Initial products from Chemicon will include a stem cell isolation kit, various proteins, and antibodies. ASCC will assist Chemicon in new product development in the research reagent area. In exchange, Chemicon said it will make an in-kind contribution of research tools for use by ASCC scientists, as well as contribute funds, products, and technical expertise to ASCC's recently launched stem cell training program.
Further details were not disclosed.
Cambridge Antibody Technology Buys TAP Automated Cell Culture System
The Automation Partnership said this week that Cambridge Antibody Technology has purchased a TAP SelecT automated cell culture system.
CAT will use the SelecT to automate cell culture of multiple cell lines in parallel, which will then be used in CAT's daily antibody-based drug screening.
Financial details were not disclosed.
Cerionx, Merck Collaborate to Boost Efficiency of siRNA Assays
Merck Research Laboratories, hoping to improve the efficiency of siRNA assay runs in its Automated Biotechnology Laboratories, will help Cerionx optimize its cold-plasma process for automated pipette tip cleaning, Cerionx said this week.
Under the terms of the one-year agreement, Merck will use Cerionx' TipCharger Systems in siRNA screening work at its North Wales, Penn.-based lab, and will work with Cerionx to further optimize system performance in the facility, the companies said.
Additional terms were not disclosed.