History
Milestones
11-May-2006 LGC enters paternity testing market in
Germany
LGC extends forensic and paternity DNA operations into
Europe
LGC, Europe’s leading provider of analytical and diagnostic
services and reference standards, has acquired the Institut für
Blutgruppenforschung (IfB), which is based in Cologne. The
Institut für Blutgruppenforschung is a leader in the provision of
DNA services in paternity testing and forensic genetics in Germany.
This acquisition is part of LGC’s strategy to expand its DNA
analysis services into mainland Europe.
Dr Nigel Law, LGC’s Chief Executive based in
Teddington, UK, said: “We warmly welcome the managers and staff
of Institut für Blutgruppenforschung to the LGC Group. We see
considerable synergy in the merger of the two businesses. LGC
Forensics is an accredited provider of forensic DNA and paternity
services in the UK, with a growing customer base. The excellent
reputation of IfB makes it the ideal partner to spearhead LGC’s
efforts to become a leading supplier of forensic analysis in
Germany.”
Dr Jürgen Henke and Dr Lotte Henke, former
owners of IfB who are staying with the business, commented:
“Demand for paternity testing services in Germany is strong, as
in the UK. The Institut für Blutgruppenforschung is a leading
provider to the courts, police and private individuals in North
Rhine-Westphalia and neighbouring states. Recent changes of
regulations regarding the extended use of forensic DNA analysis in
criminal investigations in Germany have opened up new opportunities
for IfB. We are delighted to join forces with LGC as their
expertise in this field will help IfB to serve our forensic
customers with confidence.”
The Institut für
Blutgruppenforschung has a clinic with sampling facilities in
Düsseldorf and it is assessing options to expand into other areas
of Germany
This acquisition emphasises LGC’s commitment
to Germany. LGC produces pharmaceutical impurity reference
standards at Luckenwalde in Brandenburg. Its subsidiary, LGC
Promochem, operates a one-stop shop for reference materials from
its distribution centre in Wesel. In January 2006, LGC acquired
AGOWA, a specialist genomics company based in Adlershof
Biotechnologiepark, Berlin. LGC also has operations in the UK,
France, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and India.