Perkin Elmer acquires Pediatrix’s newborn screening business

Perkin Elmer has successfully completed its acquisition of Pediatrix Medical Group’s newborn metabolic screening business.

The company has added Pediatrix’s screening reference laboratory and its StepOne newborn screening programme – which is able to analyse more than 50 inherited disorders in newborns – to its generic screening programme offerings.

Speaking about the purchase, Robert Friel, chief executive officer and president of Perkin Elmer, said: "We now can provide state laboratories with the most comprehensive array of newborn screening solutions available and strengthen our leadership in this growing market."

This announcement came as Perkin Elmer stated that it will be showcasing its new EcoAnalytix initiative and new liquid chromatography (LC) system at PITTCON 2008 until March 6th.

EcoAnalytix addresses the global imperatives of food and consumer product safety, water quality and sustainable energy development.

Mr Friel stated that the initiative reflects the company’s continued efforts to combine high-performance instrumentation with the technical, application, and regulatory support laboratories need to help ensure a healthy and safe environment.