Beckman Coulter Acquires Cytometer Maker Xitogen

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences is to strengthen its operational base in China following an agreement together with Cytojene Corporation to acquire Xitogen Technologies, a flow cytometer developer based in Suzhou and Dalian, China. The acquisition, which is subject to customary conditions, is expected to close during this second quarter of 2014.

Xitogen has developed the XTG-1600, a small footprint cytometer that can detect objects in the 100 nanometer range – viruses, bacteria, microparticles and cell organelles - making it an excellent choice for basic research investigations. The fully staffed facilities in Suzhou and Dalian will function as both R&D and manufacturing centres. 

“We see Xitogen’s technology as an accelerator that will rapidly grow our menu of products and services,” stated Jennifer Honeycutt, president of Beckman Coulter Life Sciences.  “We believe that Xitogen offers significant synergies within several of our strategic focus areas, which will help to advance our mission of delivering innovative and trusted scientific solutions across the globe.”

“Having an operational base in the growing Asian market will enable us to provide timely service to customers in that region,” said Mario Koksch, vice president and general manager of the Cytometry Business Unit for Beckman Coulter Life Sciences.  “Adding this technology and intellectual property to our existing portfolio means we can extend our reach from clinical diagnostics through clinical research and further into basic research.”

“We believe that flow cytometers should be easy to use, able to grow with the technical needs of the users, and provide the highest quality and performance,” said Dr. Yong Chen, founder of Xitogen.  “We’re proud our technology will be part of the Beckman Coulter portfolio, and excited about the prospects created by having access to their sales and distribution channels.”