Life science company LGC announced today that it has acquired a majority stake in laboratory automation company Douglas Scientific.

LGC said it plans to use Douglas Scientific's platforms and consumables to enhance its range of high-throughput genotyping and qPCR instruments, DNA extraction solutions, PCR assays and reagents, and associated consumables.

"Customers will benefit from the unique synergies between our two organizations, including combined workflow solutions for extraction, genotyping, and gene expression with optimized application protocols utilizing LGC proprietary KASP and Klearkall PCR master mix reagents together with our Biosearch BHQ and BHQplus probes," Giulio Cerroni, managing director of LGC's genomics division, said in a statement. "The combined organizations will provide customers in all regions with access to the SNPline, Nexar, and IntelliQube platforms, benefiting from LGC's international footprint."

The two companies began working together in August 2014 when they signed an agreement for LGC to distribute Douglas Scientific's Array Tape laboratory automation platform in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.