SubscribeSmiths Group plc announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ETI Technology, Inc., a small, privately owned company that has developed techniques for the detection of harmful biological agents.
The successful application of ETI's techniques will add new capabilities to the activities of the Smiths Detection division in both military and civil markets.
ETI has developed optical sensors that perform an initial screening of bio agents to provide analysis and classification, permitting more efficient and rapid deployment of biological detectors to identify the specific agent precisely. This complementary technology would be employed to reduce operational costs for conventional detectors made by Smiths Detection, including equipment to identify biological agents used by military forces, emergency response teams and in critical infrastructure applications.
"ETI has a very successful record in R & D, providing new technologies that will enhance the Smiths Detection bio product range," said Bob Judd, President, Smiths Detection – Military. "This deal will greatly strengthen our position in meeting the requirements of some major Government programs, while offering exciting possibilities in other markets in the longer term."
ETI’s patented biosensors uniquely enable detection without the use of added fluids and can operate remotely with no user intervention. They can rapidly detect, distinguish and quantify groups of biological agents such as bacteria, bacterial spores, toxins and viruses. The approach is a departure from other sensors that identify a single organism. When configured as a multi-sensor array, the ETI technology provides a real-time snapshot of microbes and chemicals present in the environment. The technology has already performed well in testing in both the US and UK.
ETI was formed in 1997, in Boston, MA and holds multiple US patents and patent applications. Smiths Detection has already worked closely with ETI, for two years, on a major UK military program. Smiths is paying $4 million for ETI, in cash, plus deferred performance-related consideration up to a maximum of $4.5 million. Closure is subject to U.S. regulatory approval.
This acquisition further broadens the technology base in Smiths Detection. Earlier this year it announced the acquisition of Farran Technology Ltd which is developing millimetre wave screening to detect hidden weapons and explosives for applications in transportation security.
