Signature Genomics gets new owner

Massachusetts-based Perkin-Elmer Inc., a maker of medical test equipment and services, announced Wednesday it will buy Spokane’s Signature Genomics Laboratories.

Signature Genomics was founded in Spokane in 2003 by Lisa Shaffer and Dr. Bassem Bejjani.

The acquisition is expected to be completed in May. No purchase price was disclosed.

The privately held Spokane company develops advanced biotechnology systems to identify chromosomal abnormalities linked with genetic disorders. Its diagnostic tests are used prenatally and postnatally by doctors and clinics to identify disorders such as Down syndrome.

The 120-person company recently developed a test kit for diagnosing leukemia.

In an e-mail Shaffer said the sale has no impact on the Spokane operations. If anything, the acquisition likely will lead to more tests being developed in Spokane, she said.

“There is little duplication between our work force and PKI’s, so we don’t anticipate much change in our Spokane work force,” Shaffer added.

In a press release PerkinElmer said it expects the deal to close after a required federal regulatory waiting period.

Shaffer will remain the company’s president, and Bejjani will continue as Signature Genomics’ chief medical officer.

Bejjani and Shaffer worked together as clinical genetic researchers at Baylor College of Medicine before moving to Spokane to take jobs with Washington State University.

When they launched the company, it was the first lab in the nation to offer microarray-based genetic tests. The company has been profitable every year since it started.

Initial financial support came from Sacred Heart Medical Center and Pathology Associates Medical Labs, both operated by Providence Health & Services. Later funding came from Ampersand Ventures and jVen Capital.

PerkinElmer has more than 8,000 employees based in more than 150 countries. It had sales of $1.8 billion in 2009 and is one of the stocks included in S&P 500 Index.