Bruker Strengthens Position in Life Science Markets via the Acquisition of Prairie Technologies

Bruker Corporation has announced that it has acquired Prairie Technologies, Inc. (Prairie), a provider of life science fluorescence microscopy products. The acquisition strengthens Bruker’s position in life science markets, adding to the Bruker Nano Surfaces Division’s existing life science atomic force microscopy (Bio-AFM) systems.

Headquartered near Madison, Wisconsin, privately-held Prairie pioneered the use of multiphoton fluorescence microscopy. Its industry-leading multiphoton product offerings have enabled researchers to make revolutionary discoveries in neurobiology and cell biology. Prairie’s products serve an addressable market that is estimated to be more than $150 million annually. The addition of Prairie will enable Bruker to enter the fluorescence microscopy market, which consists of multipoint scanning confocal, single-photon confocal, and multiphoton products. Prairie has approximately 30 employees globally, and generated revenues of approximately $11 million in 2012. Bruker intends to operate Prairie Technologies as a business unit in the Madison, Wisconsin area, and plans to leverage the global marketing, distribution and service capabilities of the Bruker Nano Surfaces division.

“Prairie Technologies led the way in developing the multiphoton fluorescence microscopy field. Their products and innovations are impressive and have created an enthusiastic following of customers who have used their instruments to achieve groundbreaking results,” said Mark R. Munch, Ph.D., President of the Bruker MAT Group. “Their Ultima two-photon microscopy product line and the new Opterra swept field multipoint scanning confocal fluorescence product line present new exciting areas of growth for Bruker, while providing significant synergies with our Bio-AFM offerings.”

“For over seventeen years, Prairie Technologies has been committed to providing leading optical instrument designs and rich software features to researchers in neurobiology and cell biology,” remarked Mike Szulczewski, Founder and President of Prairie Technologies, Inc. “We are extremely pleased to join Bruker, and look forward to continued innovation in the Bruker environment, as well as to enhanced global distribution and service capabilities for our customers.”

Scientists conducting uncaging experiments, optogenetics, simultaneous electrophysiology studies, as well as photoactivation, photostimulation and photoablation experiments use Prairie Technologies’ systems. The suite of product solutions for neurobiologists and cell biologists include the Ultima and Ultima In-Vivo two-photon microscopy product lines. These platforms and the many associated accessories and flexible configurations enable advanced brain slice and intra-vital studies deep into tissues to over 900 microns in penetration depth. In addition, the new Opterra swept field multipoint scanning confocal fluorescence microscope enables high-speed, live cell imaging and unsurpassed dynamic observation of fast cellular events.