Siemens announced late yesterday the completion of its acquisition of Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC). The move marks an effort by the company to move aggressively into the in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) market. In late June, Siemens also announced plans to purchase Bayer Healthcare's Diagnostics Division.

DPC was founded in 1971 and has been a leader in immunodiagnostics, and focused on developing, manufacturing, and distributing automated body fluid analyzers and tests, such as those related to cancer and cardiac disease, as well as hormone and allergy conditions.
           
Siemens’ hope is that with the resources of DPC and Bayer’s group, it will be in a position to offer its customers and partners a strong IVD combination and a comprehensive portfolio covering both in-vivo and in-vitro diagnostics, combined with IT systems, according to Erich R. Reinhardt, president and CEO of Siemens Medical Solutions. Reinhardt also stated that the mergers will expand Siemens' competencies in the innovative and fast-growing area of molecular medicine from in-vivo molecular imaging.

Upon the completion of the Bayer Diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens said it will offer products and services in immunodiagnostics, genetic testing, near-patient testing, clinical chemistry, lab automation, hematology (blood cell diagnostics), and other related areas.