Hologic Pays $159m for Belgium-based Molecular Diagnostic Assay Developer Diagenode

Hologic, a $3.8b developer of diagnostics, imaging systems, and surgical products for women's health, is buying epigenetics analysis company Diagenode, adding a menu of 30 real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests that are CE-marked for the detection of bacteria, parasites and viruses involved in sexually transmitted diseases, respiratory diseases, meningitis and gastroenteritis.  Diagenode previously collaborated with Hologic to develop assays for group B Streptococcus and Bordetella for use with Hologic's Panther Fusion molecular testing system.  Diagenode's pipeline includes devices, kits, reagents, antibodies and services to analyze DNA and RNA.  Hologic closed its $230m purchase of Biotheranostics, a producer of molecular diagnostic tests for breast and metastatic cancers a few weeks before this Diagenode acquisition announcement.  Deal terms -- $159m on sales of $30m (5.3x).

Keywords: Healthcare Investment Banking, Healthcare M&A, Healthcare Mergers, Diagnostics