Genomics Company Agowa Joins the Lgc Group

LGC (Teddington, UK), has acquired AGOWA, a specialist genomics company based in Berlin., where it will support LGC's strategy to introduce novel analytical and diagnostic services into Germany and across Europe.
Dr Nigel Law, LGC's Chief Executive commented: "I am delighted by this development which reflects LGC's commitment to expanding its life sciences business." The acquisition would enable LGC to build "on its established provision of DNA diagnostics, forensic DNA and paternity testing in high throughput environments," he added. Dr Rolf Wambutt, who founded AGOWA in 1993, said: "Over the last 12 years AGOWA has developed a reputation internationally for services in genomics, DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, and diagnostics.
It has also developed its own magnetic separation technology for the extraction of nucleic acids. With further investment as part of the LGC Group we will be pursuing new initiatives in medical and pharmacogenetics, and we have already initiated some joint projects with a view to generating new business together."
LGC's existing German operations include a laboratory in Luckenwalde which produces pharmaceutical impurity reference standards; its reference materials division, LGC Promochem, has a supply and distribution centre in Wesel.