Agilent Technologies said today it’s acquired U.K.-based Raman spectroscopic instrument developer Cobalt Light Systems for $51.5 million (GBP £40 million).

Cobalt develops benchtop and handheld Raman spectroscopic instruments based on proprietary technologies to enable through-barrier identification of chemicals and materials, the company said.

“Raman spectroscopy is one of the fastest-growing segments in spectroscopy. This acquisition gives our customers access to state-of-the-art Raman spectroscopy technology. It also provides Agilent immediate entry into this fast-growing segment with a highly competitive, differentiated offering,” Agilent spectroscopy & vacuum solutions division GM Phil Binns said in a prepared statement.

“This is exactly the type of acquisition that Agilent’s strategy calls for – one that expands our market share and provides immediate benefits to our customers. We’re focused on delivering best-in-class solutions to our customers, and Cobalt’s Raman spectroscopy product and team meet and exceed that criterion,” Agilent life sciences & applied markets group prez Patrick Kaltenbach said in a prepared release.

Santa Clara, Calif.-based Agilent said that Cobalt is engaged with more than 20 of the 25 largest global pharma companies as well as more than 75 airports across the EU and Asia-Pacific regions. Cobalt currently has 52 employees and its CEO will remain on as director of Raman Spectroscopy, the company said.

“Cobalt and Agilent have similar cultures focused on customer-centric innovation. The combination of Cobalt’s patented technologies with Agilent’s product-development expertise, manufacturing capabilities, channels and customer base will allow us to scale our operations to take advantage of this rapidly growing market,” Cobalt CEO Paul Loeffen said in a press release.

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