South West biotech firm acquired by US-based Brukers

Optimal Industrial Automation and Technologies, a biotech company with offices in South Gloucestershire and Bristol, has been acquired by US firm Bruker for an undisclosed amount.

Optimal is a leader in pharma and biopharma process analytical technology (PAT), pharma manufacturing automation and Quality Assurance (QA) software and systems integration. The takeover "strengthens Bruker as a key software and solutions provider for small molecule, biologics and new drug modalities pharma companies", according to the company's release.

Optimal’s 2022 revenue is expected to be approximately $10 million, and Optimal’s revenue growth rate and operating margins are projected to be accretive to Bruker in 2023 and beyond.

Optimal has a focus on the automation and optimization of batch and continuous processes in the biopharma industry, from R&D to manufacturing. As an integrated PAT solutions provider, Optimal offers development, testing, deployment and support of quality-centric pharmaceutical production systems.

Mr. Martin Gadsby, the CEO and Co-Founder of Optimal Industrial Automation and Technologies, said: “We are delighted to become part of the Bruker family. Optimal and Bruker together are a perfect fit – we share the common ethos of innovation with integrity, together with our industry recognition as a high-quality solutions provider delivering tangible benefits to our customers. The whole Optimal team is excited by this new chapter in our history and looks forward to delivering benefits to even more biopharma customers and ultimately to patients around the world.”