Alere to scoop up last Axis shares

ALERE, the US life sciences firm that is buying Dundee-based medical testing kit maker Axis-Shield, said yesterday it was applying for the compulsory purchase of the remaining shares after crossing the 90 per cent threshold.

The Massachusetts-based company owned a 30 per cent stake in Axis-Shield before the takeover was agreed, and has now gained a further 61 per cent. It expects to de-list the Scottish firm next month.