Sigma-Aldrich Corporation
says it has acquired all outstanding shares of Cleveland, Ohio-based, Research
Organics, Inc., to expand the Company''s buffer production capacity and to
increase its portfolio of PharmaGrade raw materials for the biopharmaceutical
and diagnostic markets. Research Organics is a leading supplier of high purity
biochemicals for use in molecular biology, diagnostics, cell culture,
pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, life sciences and biotechnology and will
transition into SAFC, the custom manufacturing and services business unit of
Sigma-Aldrich.
"Research Organics is
an important addition to our pharmaceutical grade portfolio of raw materials
for the biopharmaceutical industry," Gilles Cottier, EVP, Sigma-Aldrich,
and president, SAFC, says. "This acquisition is an outstanding complement
to our existing raw materials portfolio and will help us provide more
innovative solutions for some of our customers'' toughest supply
challenges. It will also enable us to
provide SAFC''s customers with true dual sourcing of buffers from two of the
world''s leading manufacturing sites."
Founded in the 1950''s,
Research Organics was a pioneer in manufacturing zwitterionic biological
buffers and developing the HEPES buffer as an industry-standard.
"Joining
Sigma-Aldrich is positive for Research Organics, our employees, customers and
the city of Cleveland," Rob Sternfeld, president of Research Organics,
says. "The acquisition provides the resources to expand the growth of our
business, to enhance our product line and to upgrade our facilities to meet
ever changing industry requirements. We will continue to provide our customers
with the superior quality and service they deserve and have come to
expect."
Terms of the purchase were
not disclosed. The Company expects this acquisition to be neutral to earnings
per share in 2012.