Bruker Continues Expansion, Acquiring Seven Companies

In two separate transactions, Bruker Corporation has entered into agreements to acquire in vitro diagnostics manufacturer ELITechGroup (ELITech), and cell imaging company Phasefocus. The acquisitions strengthen Bruker’s position in molecular diagnostics and microscopy, respectively.

According to a Dec. 26 regulatory filing, Bruker will acquire Elitec for a purchase price derived from an enterprise value of €870 million ($966.1 million), subject to certain adjustments. Terms of the Phasefocus acquisition were not disclosed.

EliTech is active in the microbiology, clinical chemistry, and biomedical testing equipment markets. Phasefocus specializes in image processing in addition to optical microscopy.

Bruker has acquired in vitro diagnostic technology company ELITechGroup. The company opened its corporate headquarters in Italy one year ago this month. Courtesy of ELITechGroup.

Bruker detailed the EliTech deal in an 8-K filing Tuesday and anticipates its acquisition to be complete in the second quarter of next year. Private equity firm PAI Partners has owned and operated EliTech since 2017.

Phasefocus' kinetic cytometry system, Livecyte, uses the company's ptychographic quantitative phase imaging (QPI) technology to enable automated single-cell tracking of high-sensitivity cells, at high speeds, to reveal subtle phenotypic differences in unperturbed cell populations.

The purchase agreements come at the end of an acquisitive year for Bruker. The company took a majority stake in quantum cascade laser developer MIRO Analytical in October, and acquired functional cell biology and optofluidics company PhenomeX in August. Bruker has announced five acquisitions since November 2022.