SeraCare Life Sciences has acquired Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratories (KPL), a provider of antibodies and related reagents for the diagnostic and life sciences markets. The acquisition has allowed SeraCare to expand its portfolio of products designed to help diagnostic researchers develop innovative in vitro diagnostic assays through both off-the-shelf products and custom antibody design, according to a company statement.

“The diagnostics industry requires high quality materials for use in assay design, development of components for regulated kits, and validation of these products as they move from the laboratory to the clinic,” said Charles Mamrak, chief executive officer of SeraCare. “SeraCare strives to facilitate its customers’ product development efforts, allowing researchers to focus on the science, specifically the design and launch of cutting-edge new assays. The addition of KPL will enable SeraCare to more fully meet the needs of these diagnostic researchers, fueling their innovation by providing reliable and qualified materials for use in these assays.”

KPL’s portfolio of products includes high quality immunochemicals for in vitro diagnostics, including primary and secondary antibodies as well as reagents and kits targeting ELISA, western blotting, immunohistology, protein labeling, nucleic acid labeling, sample preparation, protein purification, and recombinant protein detection and analysis. These products will support SeraCare’s expansion from its core strength of providing biological products and control materials for infectious disease, women’s health, and genetic testing into oncology, autoimmune, allergy and companion diagnostics.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but SeraCare secured funding for the acquisition and refinanced its existing debt with Madison Capital Funding and BB&T Capital Partners. Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal advice to SeraCare for the transaction.