Traditionally, diagnostic imaging and in vitro diagnostics have lived on different planets. In vivo imaging is a capital equipment business, while in vitro diagnostic businesses are built on reagents and consumables. Imaging looks for morphological changes in the body; invitro diagnostics detect analytes and markers of disease in tissues and fluids. Even the customers are different. Imaging equipment companies target radiologists, in vitro diagnostics companies sell to laboratories. So why would imaging giant Siemens AG announce, at the end of April, that it will acquire traditional in vitro diagnostics firm Diagnostic Products Corp. for $1.86 billion? [See Deal]
Siemens has a mature imaging business, so the high growth opportunities in diagnostics, with their recurring revenue streams from consumables,...
