Merck Millipore to acquire Amnis Corporation

Merck Millipore has agreed a deal to acquire the cell imaging specialist Amnis Corporation for an undisclosed fee.

Amnis is based in Seattle and is a designer and manufacturer of high-speed imaging instrumentation, which is used in flow cytometry applications in the academic, biotech and pharmaceutical sectors.

The acquisition, which is due to close during the fourth quarter of 2011, will help Merck Millipore to expand its presence in the growing flow cytometry sector, complementing its Guava product range.

Currently, Amnis employs 40 people and was able to generate annual sales of around $14 million (8.6 million pounds) in 2010.

Jonathan DiVincenzo, head of Merck Millipore's bioscience business unit, said: "Amnis' technology will put Merck Millipore at the forefront of cell analysis by providing us access to breakthrough, combined imaging flow cytometry, addressing several unmet needs."

Later this week, the company will appoint Robert Yates as its new president in order to support the latest phase of its corporate growth strategy.