BioReliance Holdings Inc., Sigma-Aldrich deal

Private equity firm Avista Capital Partners agreed to sell CRO BioReliance to Sigma-Aldrich for $350 million in cash. Sigma-Aldrich said BioReliance recorded 2010 revenues of about $110 million. BioReliance provides biopharma testing services, including biologics testing and specialized toxicology and animal health testing. BioReliance said its acquisition by Sigma-Aldrich will create one of the "broadest product and service offerings" for the development and manufacture of biologics. JP Morgan was financial advisor to BioReliance while Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP was legal advisor. The deal is expected to close this quarter. ...