Dassault Systemes to buy US scientific software firm Accelrys for $750 mn

Dassault Systemes, the French maker of 3D software used in designing automobiles and aircrafts among other high tech products, today agreed to buy US scientific software firm Accelrys for $750 million in cash, in order to expand its product portfolio.

Under the terms of the deal, Dassault Systèmes is offering to pay $12.50 per share in cash and expects the transaction to be completed during the second quarter of 2014.

California-based Accelrys, is a leading provider of scientific innovation life-cycle management software, supports industries and organisations that rely on scientific innovation to differentiate themselves.

Accelrys offers capabilities in scientific data management, modelling and simulation, research informatics, laboratory informatics, enterprise quality management, environmental health & safety and operations intelligence for customers in science-driven industries.

Using Accelrys technology, scientific innovators can access, organise, analyse and share data in unprecedented ways across the research, laboratory and manufacturing continuum, ultimately enhancing innovation, improving productivity and compliance, reducing costs and accelerating product development from research to manufacturing.

Accelrys' list of 2,000 customers includes many of the Fortune 500 companies in the pharma / biotech, consumer packaged goods and chemical industry, including Sanofi, Pfizer, GSK, AstraZeneca, Du Pont, Shell, BASF, P&G, Unilever and L'Oréal.

Accelrys employs more than 225 full-time PhD scientists, and had revenue of $122.051 million and an operating loss of $22.8 million in the first nine months of 2013.

Dassault Systèmes' said that by merger will enrich the molecular chemistry capabilities from discovery to manufacturing and regulatory requirements of Dassault Systèmes' formulation-based industry offerings such as life sciences, consumer packaged goods, high tech and energy, as well as advanced manufacturing industries.

Bernard Charlès, president and CEO of Dassault Systèmes, said, ''The world demands a new paradigm for sustainability where chemistry, materials and biology meet. This is what the virtual universes enabled by Dassault Systèmes are delivering, capable of harmonizing products, nature and life, from imagination to industry solution experience.''