Abbott completes buyout of lab informatics firm Starlims

Abbott has finalised its takeover of laboratory information management systems specialist Starlims in a move which will expand its presence in the sector.

The acquisition of Starlims is valued at $123 million (82 million pounds) and allows Abbott to gain access to a number of technologies related to data storage and analysis for clinical, scientific and industrial laboratories.

Abbott has identified this area as a rapid growth market due to the increasing amount of data which laboratories must now process and is now looking to expand its range of product offerings.

Edward Michael, executive vice-president of diagnostics products at Abbott, said the technology and expertise acquired from Starlims will allow it to pursue this long-term strategy.

He added: “The acquisition enables us to provide a common informatics framework across all of our diagnostics businesses and, equally important, will help accelerate Starlims’ growth strategy in non-diagnostics market segments.”

Last week, the company published trial results for its catheter-based MitraClip system for mitral regurgitation, which demonstrated its efficacy and benefits.