WALTHAM, Mass.—Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. hasacquired Proxeon A/S, a supplier of products for proteomics analysis that is headquarteredin Odense, Denmark. Thermo notes that the company "is recognized for itsability to provide a simplified proteomics workflow, including nanoflow liquidchromatography systems, columns, ion sources, and bioinformatics software, tomeet the need for robust high-sensitivity liquid chromatography/massspectrometry (LC/MS) analysis in complex proteomics applications."
Proxeon had revenues of approximately $10 millionin 2009 and has nearly 40 employees. Specific terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but Thermo Fisher indicates that Proxeon will be integrated into its Analytical Technologies Segment, and Thermo does not expect this transaction to have amaterial impact on its 2010 financial results.
Proxeon's nanoflow liquid chromatography system,EASY-nLC, has been adopted by a number of the world's leading proteomic centersfor what Thermo calls "its exceptional simplicity and ease of use." The system features,among other things, an intuitivegraphical user interface, touch-screen operation and remote diagnosticscapability. The compact system footprint includes a unique autosampler, whichallows reproducible low-nanoliter injections into the mass spectrometer, reportedlypermitting researchers to improve productivity without comprising performance.The system also provides two-dimensional chromatographic capability to identifymore proteins than conventional methods, without the increased complexity ofadded valves and pumps.
"By offering a high-performance solution thataddresses the need for simplified operation, we can meet the increasing demandfor LC/MS in proteomics applications," says Marc N. Casper, president and chiefexecutive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. "These systems can be easilyintegrated with our leading ion trap, hybrid and triple quadrupole massspectrometry systems, in line with our strategy of providing comprehensiveLC/MS solutions for both high-end research and routine applications."