Scientific instruments maker FEI Inc. bought Till Photonics GmbH of Munich from a German consortium led by Toptica Photonics AG for €14.5 (about $20 million), the companies announced this week. Till makes digital light microscopes and high-speed imaging systems for live-cell fluorescence microscopy and is now a subsidiary of FEI. Founded in 1993 by Professor Rainer Uhl of Munich University, Till Photonics has 40 employees. Its flexible imaging platforms are used in fundamental research, applied sciences and diagnostics. In 2009, Toptica Photonics became a major shareholder of the company, together with Dr. Frank Lison and professor Uhl (See Toptica Buys Till Photonics). Company revenue for 2011 is expected to be about $8 million. "While Till was looking for interesting OEM opportunities, the initiative of FEI offered us a significant financial return which will strengthen our own future growth,” said Dr. Thomas Weber, co-President of Toptica Photonics. "With this acquisition, FEI acquires additional key technology for correlative microscopy for cellular biology, which integrates high-performance light and electron microscopy," said Don Kania, FEI president and CEO. "Now we can accelerate the growth of our life sciences business, which is an important component of our companywide plan to double our served available market in the next three years." FEI provides electron- and ion-beam microscopes for nanoscale applications in industrial and academic materials research, life sciences, semiconductors, data storage and natural resources, among others. It has more than 2000 employees worldwide. Till Photonics President Frank Lison said that the acquisition will allow the company to achieve its market goals much faster. FEI also will provide Till with an earn-out payable in two years based on attainment of certain performance milestones. For more information, visit: www.fei.com or www.till-photonics.com