Beckman Coulter, Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire all of the stock of Diagnostic Systems Laboratories Corporation (DSL) of Webster, Texas, a leading provider of specialty immunoassays including proprietary technology for reproductive endocrinology and cardiovascular risk assessment. Subject to customary closing conditions, the acquisition is expected to close in mid-October.

With 2004 sales of approximately $34 million, DSL competes in the specialty endocrinology segment of the immunoassay market. DSL markets three proprietary reproductive endocrinology tests, including Inhibin A and B, and anti-Mullerian hormone. In addition, DSL holds exclusive rights to PAPP-A, a marker being evaluated for cardiovascular risk assessment. Recently growing at about 15 percent per year, specialty endocrinology makes up about 10 percent of the $5 billion immunoassay market, according to a company release.

“Coupling DSL’s expertise and proprietary tests with Beckman Coulter’s industry leading immunoassay platforms should be a winning combination,” Michael Whelan, group vice president of Beckman Coulter’s immunoassay business said adding, “DSL is a mature organization with significant scientific and clinical collaboration skills. Together we aim to quickly broaden our immunoassay menu and strategically advance our already successful immunoassay franchise.”

“By joining Beckman Coulter and taking advantage of their established infrastructure, we believe we can boost our position in specialty immunoassay testing and enable our group to reach its full potential in the marketplace,” said Gopal Savjani, president and founder of Diagnostic Systems Laboratories.

Beckman Coulter, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of biomedical testing instrument systems, tests and supplies that simplify and automate laboratory processes.