Beckman Coulter acquires rights to Siemens’s HCV

Under the agreement, Beckman Coulter can develop, manufacture and sell a quantitative viral load hepatitis C virus (HCV) blood test for use on the company’s molecular diagnostic instrument, which is in development. As a result, Beckman Coulter expects to take a charge of $12 million in the second quarter of 2008.

Scott Garrett, chairman, president and CEO of Beckman Coulter, said: “Our access to this intellectual property will expand the served market for our ‘sample-to-result’ molecular diagnostics system, expected to launch in 2010. The addition of HCV will enhance our infectious disease test menu while furthering our dedication to improving patient health and reducing the cost of care.”