PerkinElmer to buy Caliper Life Sciences for about $600 million

PerkinElmer, a provider of scientific instruments today agreed to buy Caliper Life Sciences, for about $600 million, in order to expand its molecular imaging and detection technology business.

Based in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Caliper develops innovative and enabling products and services to the life sciences research community, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and government and other not-for profit research institutions.

Caliper's portfolio of products includes state-of-the-art microfluidics, lab automation and liquid handling, optical imaging technologies, and discovery and development outsourcing solutions.

Waltham, Massachusetts-based PerkinElmer, known for making optical components for the Hubble Space Telescope, designs, manufactures and sells advanced scientific instruments, environmental safety monitoring products and medical testing equipment.

The company, which has customers in more than 150 countries, reported revenue of approximately $1.7 billion last year.

PerkinElmer, which has made six acquisitions so far this year, is offering $10.50 per share in cash, a premium of 42 per cent to Caliper's closing price of $7.39 on 7 September, valuing Caliper at approximately $600 million.