PerkinElmer Acquires Macri Technologies And NTD Laboratories
Acquires Key Screening Test for First-Trimester Prenatal Risk Assessment; Expands Screening and Diagnostics Capabilities in Maternal Health
Boston - PerkinElmer, Inc., a global technology company in Health Sciences and Photonics, announced the completion of its acquisition of J.N. Macri Technologies LLC, which holds and licenses global patents related to free beta Human Chorionic Gonadotropin ("free Beta hCG"). Free Beta hCG is a peptide hormone produced in the early stage of pregnancy that is widely recognized as a critical biomarker for first-trimester prenatal risk assessment.
Additionally, PerkinElmer acquired NTD Laboratories, Inc., a reference laboratory specializing in prenatal risk assessment. NTD offers laboratory developed and validated testing under the brand name UltraScreen, of which free Beta hCG is a vital component. The UltraScreen biomarker data, combined with an ultrasound measurement of fluid accumulation behind the neck of the fetus (collectively referred to as the "combined test") and maternal demographic data, provide clinicians with a state-of-the-art, patient-specific risk probability for fetal abnormalities. NTD Labs generated $15 million of revenue in its last fiscal year ending June 2006. The purchase price for both transactions was approximately $56.65 million.
"This acquisition represents the next step in our initiative to build a comprehensive screening and diagnostics capability in maternal health," said Gregory L. Summe, chairman and chief executive officer of PerkinElmer, Inc. "It provides a leading position in free Beta hCG measurement in the U.S. and will be an integral part of expanding our maternal health portfolio globally."
The agreement builds upon recent announcements by the Company related to its screening and diagnostics strategies. These included a global licensing agreement to develop assay kits for the ADAM12 biochemical marker, which has broad potential in maternal health screening for fetal chromosomal abnormalities; and the securing of global rights for PP13 (Placental Protein 13), a new prospective biomarker for identifying patients at risk for pre-eclampsia in the first trimester.
More than 400,000 insurance-covered assessments have been performed since the introduction of the NTD testing service in 1997. The efficacy of the NTD-provided service has been validated by two National Institute of Health (NIH) trials, EATABUN and FASTER. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine in November 2005, NIH's FASTER study found the combined test, which is administered in the first trimester of gestation, safer and more accurate than second trimester prenatal risk assessment.
"This acquisition provides an opportunity to strengthen our position with clinicians and our existing laboratory partners as a result of NTD's strong and established relationships with maternal health care providers," said Robert F. Friel, president, PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences. "We expect this agreement will accelerate PerkinElmer's own maternal health research and development initiatives, by giving us the ability to better understand first-hand the needs of the clinical community. Our future plans include the introduction of the free Beta hCG biomarker, which is used throughout Europe, on PerkinElmer's proprietary platforms, further extending our maternal health solutions."
"Joining PerkinElmer is a natural evolution of the NTD reference laboratory business," said Dr. James Macri, president, NTD Laboratories. "We expect the combination of NTD's expertise in providing first-trimester prenatal screening services with PerkinElmer's market-leading application expertise and strong distribution channels will accelerate wider access to this important technology to clinicians and patients."
SOURCE: PerkinElmer, Inc.