Agilent Technologies Acquires Ireland-Based Luxcel Biosciences
Agilent Technologies has acquired Luxcel Biosciences, a developer of fluorescence-based cell assay kits, to strengthen its position in the cell analysis market.
Agilent Technologies, based in Santa Clara, California, announced the acquisition of Cork-based Luxcel Biosciences on January 8, 2018. The deal brings Luxcel’s suite of in vitro cell assay kits into Agilent’s existing cell analysis portfolio, which has been a focus for the company since its 2015 acquisition of Seahorse Bioscience.
Luxcel, a spin-off from University College Cork established in 2002, specializes in plate-reader-based assays that measure cell metabolism, toxicity, and oxidative stress. These tools are used in pharmaceutical research to understand cellular function in relation to cancer, immunology, and metabolic disorders.
Todd Christian, General Manager of Agilent’s Cell Analysis Division, stated that the acquisition complements the company's current offerings by providing assay kits compatible with standard fluorescent plate readers. Agilent expects the integration to assist in the expansion of its reach within pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical discovery workflows.
The 12-person Luxcel team will remain based in Ireland, transitioning into a specialized group focused on sensor chemistries within Agilent’s Cell Analysis Division. The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement.