Agilent Technologies Completes Acquisition of Velocity11, a Leader in Life Science Lab Automation and Robotics

Agilent Technologies announced it has completed the acquisition of Velocity11, a leader in automated liquid handling and laboratory robotics for the life science market. Financial details were not disclosed.

The acquisition of privately held Velocity11 enables Agilent to offer a more comprehensive suite of workflow solutions to its life science customers in the pharmaceutical, biotech and academic research markets. Specifically, Velocity11's technology strengthens Agilent's offering of automated sample-preparation solutions across a broad range of applications.

"With the acquisition now complete, we look to developing strong synergies between Velocity11 and Agilent," said Nick Roelofs, vice president of Agilent's Life Sciences Solutions Unit. "Agilent can now offer customers an enhanced set of comprehensive workflow solutions in the pharmaceutical, government and academic segments, leveraging a strong portfolio in automation, detection, measurement and informatics."

"With Agilent's strong customer relationships, commitment to quality and global reach, we should be able to take Velocity11's products to the next level of market penetration," said Rob Nail, former Velocity11 CEO, and general manager, Velocity11, an Agilent Technologies Company.

Velocity11 designs, manufactures and markets robotic solutions that range from standalone instrumentation to bench-top automation solutions to large, multi-armed robotic systems. The company also develops world-class software to control the robotics. Velocity11's customers comprise most of the major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as well as leading genome centers and academic institutions.

Substantially all of Velocity11's approximately 150 employees worldwide have now joined Agilent. Headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., Velocity11 has a second office in Melbourn, Hertfordshire, U.K., with field sales and support offered throughout the U.S. and western Europe.

Source: Agilent Technologies