Companies endorse Invitrogen-Applied Biosystems merger

CARLSBAD, Calif. Several advisory firms have endorsed the planned merger between Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems, the companies said Monday.

Invitrogen announced in June that it would buy Foster City, Calif.-based Applied Biosystems for $6.4 billion. The combined company will use the Applied Biosystems name.

“The synergy work we’ve had underway for the last three months has led to a very comprehensive and robust plan that is now locked in by each operation area,” Invitrogen chairman and chief executive officer Greg Lucier said in a statement Thursday.

“I am extremely pleased with the progress we are making.”