History

Founded in 1966 by a Danish medical doctor, Niels Harboe, Dako is headquartered in Denmark with manufacturing and research sites in Glostrup, Denmark and Carpinteria, California, USA.

Dako earned its reputation for innovation and quality by introducing the first conjugated antibodies for immunohistochemistry 40 years ago. In the 1960s several companies were producing antisera, but the strength varied greatly, presenting significant challenges for hospitals, which had difficulties using the antisera for the evaluation of patient samples.

Niels Harboe realized the importance of obtaining a supply of antibodies for analytical purposes that was of the same strength at all times. He founded his own company, DAKOPATTS.

A discovery in early 1967 made it possible to standardize the strength of antibodies in a usable product. Soon antibodies became a useful tool for hospitals, to the benefit of patients all over the world.

Since then Dako has continously been a driver in developing the field of cancer diagnostics introducing pharmDx, Special Stains, Image Analysis and Pathology Workflow.


Corporate Milestones


2008

  • Beckman Coulter buys Dako’s Flow Business Unit
    Dako’s Flow Business Unit in Colorado, USA has been sold to Beckman Coulter. Thereby Dako’s focus on anatomic pathology, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and reagents for flow cytometry is strengthened.

2007

  • Dako launches Dako Link - Integrated Workflow Solutions
    Never before has Dako launched so many important products at one time. The Dako Link solution offers software, instruments, reagents and connectivity options customized to meet the needs of any pathology laboratory. Dako Link substantially improves cost efficiency and turnaround time in the lab by linking together the entire workflow.

  • Dako gets new owner
    Private equity fund EQT V (“EQT”) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Dako. The total consideration for the transaction is DKK 7.25 billion.

2006

  • Dako launches ACIS® III
    Dako launches the newest addition to our growing portfolio of automated platforms, ACIS® III. With a new sophistication, ACIS® IIII is enhancing the lab’s workflow to include advanced image analysis benefits in a simple manner. Pathologists now have the capability to improve their workflow, turnaround time, and experience cost savings.

  • Dako's Microbiology business sold
    The sale of the microbiology activities to Oxoid is part of Dako’s strengthened focus on anatomic pathology. Dako’s microbiology range will gradually be rebranded as Oxoid and products should be ordered via Oxoid.

2005

  • Change of name
    The company changes its name from DakoCytomation A/S to Dako A/S.

  • Microbiology up for sale
    DakoCytomation sharpens its focus on cancer diagnostics by putting its Microbiology activities up for sale.

  • Agreement on image analysis
    DakoCytomation enters an agreement with Clarient Inc. on the further development and sale of its ACIS instruments, which are used for image analysis. The agreement is part of Dako’s strategy to automate more areas of the workflow in the pathology laboratory and to offer more integrated systems to the market for cancer diagnostics.


2002

  • Acquires instrument business
    DakoCytomation acquires the Artisan™ instrument business from CytoLogix Inc. Artisan™ is a state-of-the-art tissue staining instrument.

  • Merges with bioinstrumentation company Cytomation and becomes DakoCytomation
    DAKO, the world-leading producer of cancer diagnostic reagents, merges with the Fort Collins-based bioinstrumentation company Cytomation Inc. The purpose of the merger is for the two companies to utilize their common competencies to further strengthen their position in the fast-growing market segments of the in vitro diagnostics industry. Cytomation was originally founded in 1988 in Colorado by one American and three Australian scientists who were convinced that the industry-standard flow cytometer could do a better job.


2001

  • Sells Boston Probes
    DAKO sells Boston Probes Inc. to Applied Biosystems Inc.


1996


  • Expands into PNA technology
    DAKO co-founds Boston Probes Inc. with the purpose of expanding into PNA technology, a supplementary technology to the traditional DNA technology.


1992

  • Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S invests in DAKO


1991


  • Acquires Novo Nordisk Diagnostics
    DAKO acquires Novo Nordisk Diagnostics (activities in microbiology) in Cambridge, United Kingdom.


1990


  • DAKOPATTS changes name to DAKO


1980


  • Establishes subsidiaries
    In the 1980s DAKOPATTS establishes more sales subsidiaries around the world. Today the company has a total of 22 subsidiaries.


1979


  • Enters the USA
    DAKOPATTS Corporation is founded in the USA.


1966


  • Founded in Denmark
    DAKOPATTS is founded in Denmark. DAKOPATTS’ initial product series was purified polyclonal antibodies.