QIAGEN to acquire Nextal Biotechnologies

Dutch company QIAGEN, a provider of preanalytical sample preparation products enabling genetic and protein analysis, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Canada-based Nextal Biotechnology, a fast-growing provider of proprietary sample preparation tools which make protein crystallisation more accessible.

Nextal has developed and recently initiated the marketing of a comprehensive suite of consumables that simplify the process of sample preparation of proteins for subsequent crystallographic analysis. Like QIAGEN, Nextal has made significant moves towards the standardisation of previously complex preanalytical processes within its own range of pre-manufactured consumables and is replacing homebrew methods.

  Subject to the terms of the acquisition agreement, QIAGEN will pay approximately US$9.7m in cash in exchange for all of the outstanding capital stock of Nextal. An additional consideration of approximately $4.5m is subject to certain milestones.

'Nextal's sample preparation product portfolio and technology platform generates exciting synergies with QIAGEN's leading solutions for protein sample preparation, including our Qproteome products,' said Peer M. Schatz, QIAGEN's ceo. 'Through this acquisition we can extend our sample preparation leadership into the rapidly growing area of sample preparation for biological macromolecule crystallography,'

Following the acquisition of Nextal, QIAGEN is able to provide standardised, easy to use and integrated protein solutions encompassing standardised cloning, expression, purification and crystallisation to its clients with seamless and optimised combinations of products including QIAexpress, EasyXpress and Nextal's crystallography solutions on an automated platform.