FEI purchases microscopy system manufacturer

Hillsboro, OR – Imaging and analysis systems manufacturer FEI says it has acquired TILL Photonics of Munich, Germany. TILL provides high-resolution, digital light microscopes and high-speed imaging systems for live cell fluorescence microscopy.

“The life sciences market is a key growth opportunity for FEI,” noted Don Kania, FEI’s president and CEO. “With this acquisition, FEI acquires additional key technology for correlative microscopy for cellular biology, which integrates high performance light and electron microscopy. Now we can accelerate the growth of our life sciences business, which is an important component of our company-wide plan to double our served available market in the next three years.”

“The very open and flexible microscope platforms of TILL are an ideal starting point for correlative microscopy,” commented Frank Lison, president of TILL Photonics GmbH. “They will open up new market opportunities for our high-resolution technologies. The strength of FEI will help us to achieve our goals much faster.”

The purchase price for the acquisition is approximately US$20 million, plus an earn-out payable in two years based on attainment of specified milestones.