Eurogentec to acquire Anaspec, a private proteomics company in California

Oct 24 2009

Eurogentec S.A. (“Eurogentec”) announces today a final agreement for the acquisition of AnaSpec, Inc. (“AnaSpec” or the “Company”), a privately-held proteomics company based in Fremont, California.

Founded in 1993, AnaSpec is a leading provider of integrated proteomics solutions for life science research and diagnostics with expertise in peptides synthesis, labeled peptides and antibodies, fluorescent dyes and enzyme activity assays. AnaSpec has developed one of the world's largest collections of catalog and dye-labeled peptides in the fields of Alzheimer Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and enzyme inhibitor screening. Leveraging its expertise in peptide, antibodies and fluorescent dyes, AnaSpec has established a leading edge portfolio of integrated proteomics solutions such as FRET based assays and SensoLyte™ assays for basic research, high-throughput screening and drug discovery. Furthermore, AnaSpec’s proprietary fluorescent dyes are being used by the world’s leading diagnostic companies to enhance their diagnostic solutions.

“Bringing AnaSpec into the Eurogentec Group is a strategic decision for our company,” explains Jean-Pierre Delwart, CEO of Eurogentec. “Through this acquisition, Eurogentec becomes a leading integrated solution provider for the Life Science and Diagnostics sectors. Our combined expertise enables Eurogentec to provide innovative solutions in the fields of Genomics and Proteomics for basic research in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as applied solutions in the diagnostics sector. As an example, the HiLyte Fluor™ dyes and QXL™ quenchers that are part of AnaSpec's high performance detection assays will be integrated into Eurogentec's comprehensive portfolio of oligonucleotides. This will establish a license-friendly alternative to most dye-labeled oligonucleotides from competitors for commercial and diagnostic applications. Moreover, AnaSpec considerably strengthens Eurogentec's geographical presence in the US and Eurogentec will directly market and support AnaSpec's products in the EU.” The founders of AnaSpec, Anita Hong, President, and Frank Hong, CEO, comment: "It is important for the sustained development of AnaSpec to integrate into a larger organization where its current assets and competencies can bring real added value. The total complementarities between Eurogentec's and AnaSpec's existing businesses and the cross-fertilization opportunities for future developments are a key factor for the success of this partnership. We are very much looking forward to closely working with the Eurogentec Team from this perspective."

AnaSpec’s founders and senior management, Anita and Frank Hong, will remain aboard the Company in leading roles in continuing to grow AnaSpec’s businesses, further expanding the high value detection reagents focus and facilitating integration with Eurogentec. Eurogentec intends to maintain the Company’s state-of-the-art Fremont facility, to which AnaSpec recently moved operations, and its valued employees.

Troutman Sanders LLP served as legal counsel, and Achelous Partners, LLC, served as financial advisers to AnaSpec. DLA Piper LLP served as legal counsel to Eurogentec on this transaction.