Beckman Coulter Inc, a leading manufacturer of biomedical testing instrument systems, has signed an agreement to acquire Lumigen Inc., of Southfield, Michigan, for $185 million in cash, in a transaction that is expected to be accretive to margins and to reported earnings per share by at least $0.02 in 2007.

For 2006, the transaction is expected to be neutral to reported earnings per share. Lumigen is a world-leading developer and manufacturer of novel detection chemistries for high-sensitivity testing in clinical diagnostics and life science research. The transaction is targeted to close by November 1, 2006.

"Lumigen's proprietary chemiluminescent chemistry is the detection method used in our Access family of immunoassay systems," said Richard Creager, PhD, vice president of research and development for Beckman Coulter's immunoassay business. "Now, with Lumigen as part of the Beckman Coulter family, we are assured access to all of their current and future technology for immunochemical and other high-sensitivity testing."

Lumigen founder and president, Paul Schaap, PhD, said, "We have partnered with Beckman Coulter for more than 10 years and witnessed the significant growth of their immunoassay business. It is our goal continually to be at the forefront of detection technologies for clinical diagnostics and life science communities. Our current generation of products reflects this commitment and we look forward to the continued expansion of our business as we join with Beckman Coulter."

About 40 percent of Lumigen's 2005 revenues of $33 million were from sales of chemiluminescent substrate to Beckman Coulter for use in its immunoassay analyzers. Going forward, these related-party revenues will be eliminated in the consolidation. Lumigen also manufactures and licenses proprietary chemicals used by other clinical diagnostics and life-sciences manufacturers.