Agilent to expand capabilities in cell analysis with acquisition of ACEA Biosciences

Agilent Technologies Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately-owned ACEA Biosciences Inc., a developer of cutting-edge cell analysis instruments for life science research and clinical diagnostics, for USD 250 million in cash. Since its inception in 2002, ACEA has launched two ground-breaking, highly differentiated platforms. ACEA is revolutionizing the field of flow cytometry with its high-performance, customizable line of NovoCyte benchtop flow cytometers. ACEA’s xCELLigence instruments enable label-free, real-time monitoring of cell growth, cell function, and cellular responses to a variety of treatments, providing scientists information-rich cellular assays.

ACEA also has an CFDA approved and CE-IVD labelled cytometer configuration. ACEA’s clinical flow cytometer, currently commercialized primarily in China, brings a unique opportunity with Agilent’s Reagent Partnership business within Agilent’s Diagnostics and Genomics Group which provides reagents for flow cytometry. ACEA represents a unique opportunity for Agilent to expand its team and broaden its portfolio with highly complementary technology, increasing the relevance and impact the company can have with its customers in the cell analysis space

Agilent entered the cell analysis market in 2015 with the acquisition of Seahorse Bioscience, a leader in providing specialized instruments and live-cell, kinetic assays. Agilent Seahorse XF technology was a leap in the evolution of cellular metabolism analysis allowing researchers to investigate metabolism in live cells. In January 2018 Agilent broadened its portfolio of cell analysis solutions through the acquisition of Luxcel Biosciences. Luxcel’s assays use soluble sensors to analyze metabolism, making them a perfect complement to Agilent’s Seahorse XF technology, providing researchers with more options to analyze metabolism.