By Calvin Biesecker
Morpho Detection yesterday said it has agreed to acquire Syagen Technology, Inc., a company with expertise in developing mass spectrometry-based technologies for security applications.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Morpho Detection, which is part of France’s Safran Group, said the acquisition will strengthen its position as a leader in trace explosives and narcotics detection solution for the homeland security market.
“Syagen’s unique mass spectrometry technology combined with Morpho Detection’s patented Ion Trap Mobility Spectrometry trace detection will help deliver the solutions customers need for detecting emerging, non-conventional explosives threats,” Dennis Cooke, president and CEO of Morpho Detection, said in a statement.
Syagen, which is based in California, has developed two trace portal systems that can be deployed at checkpoints to screen people either for explosives or narcotics. The portals are based on mass spectrometry, which is an analytical technique used to determine the identity of molecules.
Similar to other trace detection portals, Syagen’s use air to agitate particles on a person’s body and clothing to be analyzed for traces of explosives or narcotics. The company has received contracts from the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate to further develop aspects of its explosives trace screening portal and to apply its mass spectrometry expertise to air cargo screening.
In 2009, Syagen also entered into a multi-year product development and license agreement with Northrop Grumman [NOC] focused on chemical and biological detection using mass spectrometry in mobile military operations.
Joining with Morpho Detection will expand Syagen’s global reach into security and defense markets.
Morpho Detection said it will operate Syagen as a mass spectrometry center of excellence to develop its next-generation of trace detection systems. Morpho Detection is also based in California.
The transaction is subject to Syagen’s shareholder and regulatory approvals, including review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.