Life sciences leader Sartorius has successfully completed its acquisition of MatTek Corp, including subsidiary Visikol Inc, for $80 million (€72 million) from Swedish BICO Group AB. The transaction closed on July 1, 2025, following receipt of required regulatory approvals and fulfillment of customary closing conditions.
The acquisition integrates MatTek's advanced 3D microtissue technology into Sartorius' Lab Products and Services (LPS) division, creating a comprehensive drug development ecosystem that combines cell analysis instruments, reagents, and AI-driven data platforms with scalable human-relevant testing platforms.
Advanced 3D Cell Technology Platform
MatTek specializes in developing and manufacturing human cell-based microtissues and 3D models that accelerate drug development processes. These advanced cell models replicate human tissue architecture and function far more accurately than conventional 2D cell cultures, delivering more precise, cost-effective, and reproducible results while significantly reducing the need for animal testing.
The company operates with more than 80 employees across facilities in Ashland, Massachusetts, and Bratislava, Slovakia, providing critical mass to Sartorius' global network. MatTek generated $20 million in revenue in 2024 with EBITDA margins aligned with Sartorius' LPS division targets.
Strategic Synergies and Market Position
CEO Joachim Kreuzburg emphasized the strategic alignment, stating: "This acquisition strengthens our position as a full-stack solutions provider, enabling customers to move seamlessly from cell culture to AI-optimized drug screening." The integration allows researchers to design therapies with higher precision, potentially lowering failure rates in clinical trials and reducing development costs.
The acquisition multiples of 3.7x sales and 15.3x EBITDA suggest significant upside potential, particularly as MatTek's scalability could amplify Sartorius' existing steady cash flows from the LPS division. Sartorius targets a 34% EBITDA margin for its LPS division by 2028, with synergies in R&D and distribution expected to drive margin expansion.
Regulatory and Sustainability Advantages
The timing aligns with tightening regulations around animal testing, particularly the European Union's expanding bans on animal testing for pharmaceuticals following similar restrictions in cosmetics. This regulatory environment creates favorable tailwinds for MatTek's 3D model technologies.
Sartorius' ISCC-certified sustainable practices, which focus on reducing fossil-based materials in production, complement the ethical advantages of reduced animal testing. This dual focus on innovation and sustainability positions the company as a leader in ESG-driven life sciences transformation.
AI Integration and Growth Catalysts
The inclusion of Visikol's advanced imaging capabilities strengthens Sartorius' AI-driven data analytics platform, a key growth driver in precision medicine. Combining MatTek's tissue model data with Sartorius' existing AI tools could unlock first-mover advantages in predictive drug design.
With global biopharma spending on laboratory tools expected to grow at 6-8% annually, the acquisition positions Sartorius to capture a larger share of the expanding market. The company now owns what analysts describe as the most advanced in-vitro testing platform in its sector, targeting the $500 billion global biopharma tools market.
