BBI Group, the world’s leading independent provider of immuno-diagnostic reagents and contract services, has today announced the acquisition of DIARECT, a leading supplier of autoimmune antigen products.

The acquisition of DIARECT and their world leading recombinant autoimmune antigen capability immediately enhances BBI’s portfolio and position as a ‘complete’ immunoassay reagent supplier and therefore a natural partner for our customers

This further enhances BBI’s position as the world’s largest diagnostics components company with a market leading antigen portfolio.

The UK-based business, which has manufacturing sites and sales offices across four continents, will integrate DIARECT’s state of the art manufacturing facility in Germany, to establish a Centre of Excellence for recombinant antigen development & manufacturing in Freiburg. 

DIARECT has seen significant growth for its innovative product lines which are used in a wide variety of tests to assist in the diagnosis of various autoimmune and infectious diseases.

BBI Group Chief Executive Officer, Mario Gualano said: 

“The acquisition of DIARECT immediately enhances our portfolio and positions BBI as a ‘complete’ immunoassay reagent supplier and therefore a natural partner for our customers.”

The combined capability enables BBI to further service high growth disease segments such as cancer, cardiac conditions and diabetes, while also enabling BBI to drive geographic expansion for DIARECT, which will benefit from a bigger sales force.

Heinz Haubruck, CEO and co-founding shareholder of DIARECT said: 

“The combined research and development capability will provide our customers with new, innovative products. This and the expansion of our product portfolio will offer our customers a more comprehensive range of products”