"In the rapidly growing
diagnostics market, Dako's products and capabilities are a strategic complement
to Agilent's existing offerings," said Bill Sullivan, Agilent president
and chief executive officer. "Dako is one of the world's leading providers
of cancer diagnostics tools, and together we will be able to develop a wider
range of products that help in the fight against cancer."
"Agilent's strategy in acquiring
Dako is about strengthening the company's presence in life science and about
revenue growth," said Sullivan. "Dako employs extremely talented
people with specialized expertise that we highly value. Their knowledge and
experience will be very important as we move forward together."
Lars Holmkvist, CEO of Dako, said,
"Our combined companies will have complementary strengths. Like Agilent,
Dako has a long history as a leader in scientific advancement and a culture
that values discovery and innovation. We believe that Agilent and Dako are a
winning combination."
Dako provides antibodies, reagents,
scientific instruments and software primarily to customers in pathology
laboratories to raise the standards for fast and accurate diagnostic answers
for cancer patients. Dako also collaborates with a number of major
pharmaceutical companies to develop new potential pharmacodiagnostics, also
called companion diagnostics, which may be used to identify patients most
likely to benefit from a specific targeted therapy. Dako's products are sold in
more than 100 countries, and in 2010 its annual revenue was approximately $340
million (USD). The company employs more than 1,000 people, primarily in
Denmark, in Carpinteria, Calif., and other parts of the world.
Agilent in Bio-Analytical Measurement
Agilent's bio-analytical measurement
business provides application-focused solutions that include instruments,
software, consumables and services that enable customers to identify, quantify
and analyze the physical and biological properties of substances and products. Agilent
is a global leader in gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass
spectrometry, and liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography/mass
spectrometry used to analyze the composition of air, water, food, drugs,
industrial process streams and forensic evidence.
About Dako
Dako, based in Denmark, is a global
leader in tissue-based cancer diagnostics. Hospital and research laboratories
worldwide use Dako's know-how, reagents, instruments and software to make
accurate diagnoses and determine the most effective treatment for patients
suffering from cancer. Employing more than 1,000 people and being present in
more than 100 countries, Dako covers essentially all of the anatomic pathology
markets globally. Information about Dako is available at www.dako.com.
About Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is
the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical
analysis, life sciences, electronics and communications. The company's 18,700
employees serve customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had net revenues
of $6.6 billion in fiscal 2011. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.