Sigma-Aldrich acquires science company Cerilliant

Sigma-Aldrich has announced that it has taken over Cerilliant Corporation, a science company that provides products for the clinical diagnostics, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, forensic and clinical toxicology sectors.

The deal allows the firm to add more than 2,800 new products to its range of offerings in the analytical chemistry sector, complementing existing Sigma-Aldrich brands such as Fluka and Supelco.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed, with Sigma-Aldrich adding that the purchase of all outstanding shares in Cerilliant is likely to be "neutral to mildly accretive" to its 2011 earnings per share results.

Russel Gant, vice-president of the analytical research business at Sigma-Aldrich, said the capabilities and business focus of the two firms are likely to be mutually compatible.

"Cerilliant's strong product suite and solid relationships with customers and analytical equipment suppliers will bring important new business opportunities to our company's analytical arena," he added.

Last month, The Scientist magazine awarded Sigma-Aldrich's CompoZr modified reporter cell line offering the silver medal in its Top Ten Innovations for 2010 list.