NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – PerkinElmer said today that it has bolstered its genetic testing business by agreeing to buy Spokane, Wash.-based Signature Genomic Laboratories for an undisclosed sum.
Signature, which has around 120 employees, provides diagnostic cytogenetic testing for chromosome abnormalities in people with unexplained physical and developmental disabilities. It offers microarray-based diagnostic tests for both pre-natal and post-natal identification of DNA alterations associated with genetic diseases, and it recently launched services for diagnosing patients with leukemia.
"As a global leader in genetic screening technologies and services, PerkinElmer clearly has the resources and worldwide presence to enable our combined testing services to reach more patients and families," Signature Genomic Laboratories Co-founder Lisa Shaffer said in a statement.
PerkinElmer CEO Robert Friel said that the new addition will bring with it "very strong complementary assets for diagnosing disorders that are often undetected by traditional genetic tests."
PerkinElmer said it expects the deal for Signature to close sometime in May, after the regulatory waiting period under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act expires.
Financial terms of the agreement were not released.