Invitrogen acquires CellzDirect

Invitrogen, a provider of life science technologies for research, production and diagnostics, has announced a definitive agreement to purchase privately held American company CellzDirect for around $57 million.

CellzDirect provides hepatocyte-based cell products and related services used in the testing of new drugs. Primary human hepatocytes are the most accepted model for predicting a compound’s effects on enzymatic metabolism in the liver. Their products are mainly used by pharmaceutical and biotech companies in research and development.

“CellzDirect’s high-value products and services will greatly complement Invitrogen’s market-leading portfolio of complete cell systems, including primary cells, media, matrices and growth factors,” said Greg Lucier, Invitrogen’s chairman and CEO.

“The purchase of CellzDirect follows our strategy of investing in high growth areas of the market, specifically specialty cell systems.”