DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

Beckman Coulter Inc. (NYSE:BEC) (BEC) said it signed four agreements with National University of Ireland, Galway, to direct assay research and acquire licenses for intellectual property to enable development of tests for infectious diseases.

The Fullerton, Calif., maker of biomedical instrument systems, tests and supplies said the intellectual property will enable the development of infectious disease tests for sepsis, hospital acquired infections and sexually transmitted diseases, such as Chlamydia and Neisseria.

Research will begin early this year as part of the three- to five-year agreements.

-Amanda Harris Falls; 201-938-5400; AskNewswires@dowjones.com

    (END) Dow Jones Newswires   01-22-08 0931   Copyright (c) 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.