LANSING, MICH. — Neogen Corporation has acquired the BioKits food-safety business from San Diego, Calif.-based Gen-Probe. More than 50 test kits for food allergens, meat and fish speciation and plant genetics are included in the acquisition. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

"This acquisition provides a good opportunity for Neogen, since the markets and products are both synergistic to our continued growth," said James Herbert, Neogen's chief executive officer. "Gen-Probe has a number of food allergen diagnostic tests that are not currently offered by Neogen, and an attractive line of tests to determine meat speciation as a tool to prevent economic adulteration. The business also has a good market position in several European countries that will add to the market penetration of our Scotland-based Neogen Europe operations."

"Divesting Tepnel's BioKits food-testing business will help Gen-Probe tighten our strategic focus on human molecular diagnostic opportunities," said Carl Hull, Gen-Probe's president and c.e.o.

The Deeside, Wales facilities will operate as a unit of Neogen's wholly-owned subsidiary, Neogen Europe Ltd., based in Ayr, Scotland. The acquired food-safety business also provides specialized independent laboratory services to a number of companies.