Sartorius to Acquire Three Danaher Life Science Businesses for $750 Million to Advance and Simplify Drug Discovery

On October 22, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media reports that Sartorius, a leader in the biopharmaceutical industry, announced it would acquire part of the business of life sciences giant Danaher for $750 million. Subject to customary closing conditions and the successful acquisition of GE Biopharma by Danaher, Sartorius’s proposed acquisition is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2020.

The proposed acquisition portfolio includes three businesses currently part of the Danaher Life Sciences platform:

Label-Free Biomolecular Characterization (FortéBio) Business. This business comprises innovative protein analysis instruments, biosensors, and reagents, primarily used in drug discovery. It is set to become part of Sartorius’s Laboratory Products & Services Division and Bioanalytics Division. The products are based on patented Bio-Layer Interferometry (BLI) technology, enabling real-time analysis of biomolecular interactions. The business employs approximately 200 people globally and maintains manufacturing facilities in Fremont, California, USA, and Shanghai, China.

Chromatography Hardware and Resins Business. Through this business, Sartorius will expand the product portfolio of its Bioprocess Solutions division. The business covers essential steps in downstream bioprocessing, including both multi-use and single-use equipment. This business unit employs approximately 100 people across Europe and the United States.

Microcarrier (SoloHill) Business. This business primarily encompasses microcarrier technologies and particle validation standards for cell culture and other biological processes. The business unit is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, and has approximately 10 employees.

Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO of Sartorius, stated: “The portfolio proposed for acquisition aligns exceptionally well with Sartorius’s strategic objectives. By leveraging FortéBio’s Octet platform, we will add widely adopted, differentiated technologies to our Laboratory Products & Services portfolio, thereby advancing and simplifying drug discovery. The chromatography hardware and resins, as well as the microcarrier business, complement our robust bioprocessing product offerings, particularly in downstream processing. We look forward to welcoming the new team to Sartorius and are confident that our collaboration will deliver significant benefits to our customers in the biopharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.”

Sartorius, founded in 1870, is a renowned leading supplier in the French biopharmaceutical industry and a premier international partner in this sector. The company is divided into two divisions: the Bioprocess Solutions Division and the Laboratory Products & Services Division. The Bioprocess Solutions business contributes the majority of revenue and provides solutions for the biopharmaceutical industry. Its product portfolio includes process control tools, fluid management systems, bioreactors, fermenters, as well as filtration and purification products. The Laboratory Products Division offers laboratory instruments and consumables, including balances, quality control products, pipettes, cell culture tools, and laboratory water purification systems. The group has achieved an average annual growth rate in the double digits and regularly expands its product portfolio through acquisitions of complementary technologies. In 2018, the company’s annual sales revenue amounted to approximately €1.57 billion.

Danaher, founded in 1969, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of science and technology innovation products and services, with businesses spanning multiple technological fields including electronic testing, power systems, mechanical tools, environmental controls, product identification, and medical devices.

(Compiled by Wang Fang)