Sigma-Aldrich Inks Deal with Olink

Sigma Life Science, the innovative biological products and services business unit of Sigma Aldrich Corporation (SIAL - Analyst Report), has entered into an agreement with Olink Bioscience to distribute Duolink In Situ products globally. The product contains a new protein interaction analysis technology used for imaging and measuring protein-protein interactions in unmodified cells.

Per the agreement, Duolink products will work in sync with Sigma Life Science’s antibody portfolio and allow researchers to target and analyze the precise protein of interest. The synergy between the partners will help scientific community to access the global support network and increase the adoption of the Duolink Technology.

The patented PLA technologies used in Duolink products enables rapid detection of single protein-protein interactions and recognition of relative changes in post-translational modification events.

This highly adaptable Duolink technology can be used along with CompoZr Zinc Finger Nuclease-mediated gene editing to track knocked-out or knocked-in genes. It can also be used with MISSION RNA interference technologies to track protein expression following gene knockdown.

Sigma-Aldrich is a leading life sciences company. A few days ago, it released its fourth-quarter 2012 results. The company posted adjusted earnings (excluding items) of 96 cents per share in the quarter compared with the year-ago earnings of 91 cents per share. The results beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 95 cents.

Profit, as reported, rose roughly 7% year over year to $116 million (or 96 cents per share) in the quarter from $108 million (or 89 cents per share) a year ago. Acquisitions (including BioReliance) and gains across overseas markets aided the results. Revenues rose 7% year over year to $655 million in the quarter but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $660 million.

Sigma-Aldrich expects low-to-mid single digit organic sales gain in 2013. It envisions adjusted earnings per share in the band of $4.10 to $4.20 for the year.

Sigma-Aldrich’s BioReliance acquisition and expansion initiatives in Asia Pacific and other high growth markets are expected to continue to add to its growth. However, the company’s research business is still facing economic challenges due to uncertainties in the U.S. and Europe.

Sigma-Aldrich currently maintains a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Other companies in the specialty chemical space with favorable Zacks Rank are American Pacific Corporation (APFC), Novozymes A/S (NVZMY) and Penford Corporation (PENX - Snapshot Report). All of them hold a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).