EUROFINS SCIENT. : Eurofins strengthens its footprint in genomic services with the acquisition of AROS AB (disponible seulement en anglais)

Eurofins Scientific (EUFI.PA), the global leader in bio-analytical testing, and one of the global market leaders in genomic services, announces the acquisition of AROS Applied Biotechnology A/S (AROS), a leading provider of genomic solutions in Europe, serving the pharmaceutical industry, as well as academic and public research institutes.

Founded in 2000 to provide GLP-approved genomic solutions to the pharmaceutical industry for the discovery and the development of new drugs, AROS generates revenues of about EUR 10m.  It has strong relationships with large pharmaceutical companies and research institutes, and over the last couple of years, has built a leading position in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) for pharmaceutical research purposes, its main revenue growth engine. This competence is strategically aligned with Eurofins' strength as one of the largest commercial NGS providers in the world, through Eurofins MWG Operon.   As one of the pioneering NGS providers, Eurofins MWG Operon is the preferred partner of many public and private research laboratories and institutions. The addition of AROS into its genomic services network reinforces Eurofins' position as a leading testing provider to the pharmaceutical industry, and expands its genomic services footprint into the Nordic region, in addition to its laboratories in Europe, US, India, and Japan.  It also complements Eurofins' technological platform with additional state-of-the-art capabilities in genotyping and expression profiling.

As part of the Eurofins Group, AROS will be able to increase its current capabilities in microarray analysis and next-generation sequencing to benefit its clients, and expand its market reach.  The acquisition also provides AROS access to a broader portfolio of high-quality genomic services to further strengthen its position as a full service genomic service provider in its markets. Furthermore, the acquisition allows the Group to further expand its share of the high-growth NGS market targeted to the needs of the pharmaceutical industry by leveraging its increased scale.

Comment from Dr. Gilles Martin, Eurofins CEO: "AROS is an excellent strategic fit with Eurofins' genomic services business. It expands our geographical footprint for our genomics offering, and their competence is entirely consistent with our focus on high-quality next-generation sequencing. We remain committed to strengthening our market position in genomic services, as we believe that technological advancements in sequencing equipment will eventually enable mass-application of NGS across industries1."

1 Eurofins press release dated 15 June 2011 /en/media-centre/press-releases/2011-06-15.aspx

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Eurofins - a global leader in bio-analysis

Eurofins Scientific is the world leader in food and pharmaceutical products testing. It is also number one in the world in the field of environmental laboratory services and one of the global market leaders in agroscience, genomics, discovery pharmacology and central laboratory services.

With over 13,000 staff in more than 170 laboratories across 34 countries, Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 100,000 reliable analytical methods for evaluating the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin and purity of biological substances and products. The Group provides its customers with high-quality services, accurate results in time and expert advice by its highly qualified staff.

Eurofins is committed to pursuing its dynamic growth strategy by expanding both its technology portfolio and its geographic reach. Through R&D and acquisitions, the Group draws on the latest developments in the field of biotechnology and analytical chemistry to offer its clients unique analytical solutions and the most comprehensive range of testing methods.

As one of the most innovative and quality oriented international players in its industry, Eurofins is ideally positioned to support its clients' increasingly stringent quality and safety standards and the expanding demands of regulatory authorities around the world.

The shares of Eurofins Scientific are listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN FR0000038259, Reuters EUFI.PA, Bloomberg ERF FP).

Important disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements and estimates that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements and estimates contained herein represent the judgement of Eurofins Scientific' management as of the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees for future performance, and the forward-looking events discussed in this release may not occur. Eurofins Scientific disclaims any intent or obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements and estimates. All statements and estimates are made based on the data available to the Company as of the date of publication, but no guarantee can be made as to their validity.