Alere (ALR) is listed as a direct competitor to Lifeloc and was recently approached by Abbot Labs (ABT) for a buyout:
Abbott will pay $51 per common share to acquire Alere, for a new expected equity value of approximately $5.3 billion
The Company offers lines of drugs-of-abuse tests, reagent systems and laboratory testing options. Its toxicology business also provides employers with managed drug testing programs. It offers a range of device platforms for the detection of the following illicit and prescription drugs of abuse, including amphetamines/methamphetamines, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine, tetrahydrocannabinol, acetaminophen, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, propoxyphene and tricyclic antidepressants, and a range of designer drugs of abuse. In addition, its toxicology products include tests to detect alcohol. Its toxicology tests are sold under the brands, Alere Toxicology, Alere Triage, Alere iCup and SureStep. The Company also offers laboratory-based testing services throughout the United States and in the United Kingdom. The Company provides drug testing services through its eScreen business. It markets and sells consumer drug testing products that test for the presence of prescription drugs, illicit drugs, or both.
The Company competes with Abbott, Becton Dickinson, Meridian Bioscience, Quidel, Danaher, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Siemens, OraSure Technologies, Cepheid, Hologic, INOVA Diagnostics, DiaSorin, Diamedix, Immuno Concepts, Lifeloc Technologies, Instrumentation Laboratories, Nova Medical, Radiometer, Abaxis Medical Diagnostics, Polymer Technology Systems, mdINR, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Roche Diagnostics, EKF, Samsung, Phamatech, Church & Dwights, Perrigo, Prestige Brands, Walmart, Walgreens and CVS.
From the BLOZF board (courtesy of euroconversions):
With changing public sentiment and eminent marijuana legalization in Canada, ABT (with its Boston based research facility) is positioning itself to capitalize on the impending windfall from legalized cannabis by purchasing ALR, makers of alcohol breathalyzers and most importantly portable drug screening devices.
Developing innovations in healthcare diagnostics coupled with renewed investment particularly in "early stage diagnostics" has assembled the perfect environment for advanced technologies and the companies that create them.
