PUNE, INDIA: Persistent Systems, a provider of outsourced software product development (OPD) services, announced on Tuesday that they have signed a definitive agreement to acquire Agilent Technologies’ software marketing and development business based in Grenoble, France. 

The acquisition is expected to be final by August 1, 2011, said a press release.

Persistent Systems’ acquisition of Agilent’s software marketing and development business will contribute to the company’s strategic thrust in the life sciences and healthcare markets.

The Agilent business is presently focused on supplying data acquisition and control software for scientific instruments to the life sciences, environmental, energy, applied research and other markets, added the release.

“Agilent and Persistent have had a strong business relationship for more than 10 years,” said Bruce von Herrmann, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s Software & Informatics Business within its Life Sciences Group. 

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He added that as Persistent becomes a global player in Life Sciences, incorporating the Grenoble team will provide Persistent with a presence in Europe, while their growth plans will provide new entrepreneurial opportunities for this talented team.

“We are very excited about acquiring Agilent’s software marketing and development business in Grenoble. Persistent has a decade long experience in the life sciences and healthcare business domain and this acquisition will further strengthen the Company’s position in this market”, said Dr. Anand Deshpande, chairman and managing director, Persistent Systems.

He added that the analytical space in life science domain holds great promise and through their Life Sciences Center of Excellence in Europe they plan to leverage this area.

Persistent to set up CoE in France

Upon the completion of this transaction, Persistent will establish a Life Sciences Center of Excellence (CoE) in Grenoble, France for the purpose of expanding into the European market. The new CoE will leverage Persistent’s expertise in the areas of life sciences and software development to bring in new solutions and services to these important markets.

The new CoE will also provide Persistent an important platform to leverage its corporate technology position in areas like Cloud, Analytics, Mobility and Collaboration, the release added.