BD Completes Alverix Acquisition

Franklin Lakes, N.J.-based Becton Dickinson and Company (BD) has acquired Alveric Inc., a ., a privately-held diagnostic instrument company with optoelectronics expertise. Since 2008, BD and Alverix have collaborated in the point-of-care diagnostic market with the design and development of the BD Veritor system.

“Point-of-care testing is increasingly an integral part of patient healthcare in both developed and developing countries and BD is committed to expanding in this space,” said William A. Kozy, chief operating officer and executive vice president of BD. “This acquisition enables BD to continue to strengthen and grow our point-of-care testing position.”

Alverix, headquartered in San Jose, Calif., is a key supplier to BD Diagnostics’ point-of-care instrument platform. The BD Veritor system integrates advanced particle and adaptive read technology with a compact reader, and is designed to give healthcare providers an objective interpretation of diagnostic results within approximately 10 minutes. BD’s previous development agreement with Alverix included the launch of the BD Veritor System for rapid detection of influenza A and B, group A strep, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus for use in clinical laboratories and in physicians’ offices.

BD acquired Alverix for $40 million. The transaction is expected to be minimally dilutive for fiscal year 2014, and will not impact BD’s previously communicated 2014 earnings guidance.