Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Corporate brand

A global laboratory technology company supplying analytical instruments, consumables, software, and services for life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets.

Last updated October 6, 2026

AI crawler reads

No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.

Overview

Agilent Technologies is a United States-based laboratory technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, California. It supplies analytical instruments, laboratory consumables, software, informatics, and lifecycle services to organizations that measure, characterize, manufacture, and quality-control chemical, biological, and clinical materials. Its customers include pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, chemical manufacturers, food and beverage producers, environmental laboratories, energy companies, hospitals and diagnostic laboratories, universities, government research institutions, and contract testing organizations. The company was established in 1999 when Hewlett-Packard separated several businesses into an independent public company. Agilent inherited important capabilities from HP's measurement, chemical analysis, instrumentation, optics, electronic components, medical equipment, and test-and-measurement operations. Its initial public offering raised approximately $2.1 billion and was described at the time as the largest IPO in Silicon Valley history. The new company initially had a substantially broader technology portfolio than it does today, including electronic measurement, semiconductor-related activities, optics, and laboratory and medical products. During the 2000s, Agilent divested or sold several non-core activities. Its health-care and medical-products organization was sold to Philips Medical Systems in 2001. It later sold its semiconductor integrated-circuit business, its interest in Lumileds, and its semiconductor test operations. These transactions gradually shifted the company toward laboratory analysis and life-science applications. The most consequential portfolio change came in 2014, when Agilent separated its electronic measurement business into Keysight Technologies. Agilent retained the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied markets businesses, while Keysight became the independent electronic measurement company. Agilent's current portfolio spans liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, spectroscopy, electrophoresis, bioanalysis, cell analysis, genomics, pathology and diagnostics, sample preparation, automation, vacuum technologies, chromatography columns, chemical standards, reagents, and laboratory software. Its CrossLab organization provides instrument maintenance, asset management, laboratory optimization, compliance support, training, and other services. The combination of capital equipment with consumables, software, and recurring service is central to the company's laboratory workflow strategy. The company has expanded through acquisitions in cancer diagnostics, genomics, cell analysis, spectroscopy, laboratory informatics, and life-science instrumentation. It has also invested in digital laboratory tools, including remote technical support and connected laboratory-management capabilities. Agilent continues to serve international research and industrial markets while increasing its exposure to pharmaceutical manufacturing, biopharmaceutical development, clinical and molecular diagnostics, and nucleic-acid-based therapeutics. As of 2024, Padraig McDonnell is the company's chief executive officer, succeeding Mike McMullen.

History

Agilent Technologies originated in Hewlett-Packard's measurement, components, chemical-analysis, and medical businesses. HP announced in 1999 that these activities would be separated into a new company. Agilent was incorporated as the successor brand for the spin-off and completed an initial public offering on November 18, 1999. The offering raised approximately $2.1 billion and was characterized by Agilent as the largest IPO in Silicon Valley history at that point. The new company's name was intended to evoke agility, while its early slogan, "Innovating the HP Way," acknowledged the technical and managerial culture inherited from HP. Agilent did not initially operate as a narrowly defined laboratory company. Its inherited portfolio included electronic measurement, semiconductor testing, photonics, chemical analysis, and medical-related businesses. HP distributed its remaining Agilent shares to HP shareholders on June 2, 2000, making Agilent independent. The company subsequently reviewed its portfolio and divested or separated businesses that did not fit its long-term laboratory and scientific focus. A major transformation came through the Varian acquisition, completed in 2010. Varian brought analytical technologies and customer relationships that complemented Agilent's chromatography, spectroscopy, and laboratory offerings. In 2012, Agilent acquired Dako, a Danish company specializing in cancer diagnostics. Dako broadened Agilent's participation in pathology and oncology testing and helped establish diagnostics as one of the company's core markets. Agilent later separated its electronic-measurement business from the rest of the company. The separation was completed on November 1, 2014, with the electronic-measurement operations becoming Keysight Technologies. Agilent thereafter concentrated on life-science research, diagnostics, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical work, and applied chemical markets. Its business model increasingly combined instruments with columns, reagents, sample-preparation products, laboratory software, maintenance, training, and technical services. The modern Agilent portfolio covers gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, molecular and atomic spectroscopy, laboratory informatics, consumables, pathology products, and biopharmaceutical solutions. Customers include pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations, academic and government laboratories, hospitals, contract laboratories, food and environmental testing organizations, and chemical manufacturers. The company sells through direct commercial channels and partners across international markets. Agilent's marketing and customer-development model is specialized and education-led. The company uses application notes, technical papers, webinars, training, product demonstrations, scientific conferences, trade shows, digital advertising, and professional social platforms to reach laboratory professionals. This communication style reflects the complexity of its products: purchasing decisions depend not only on brand awareness but also on analytical performance, method validation, compliance, interoperability, service availability, and total cost of ownership. In the 2020s, Agilent continued to expand beyond stand-alone instruments. Its strategy included workflow integration, laboratory automation, software, diagnostics, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing services. The announced BioVectra transaction in 2024 represented a move further into contract development and manufacturing, particularly in specialized therapeutic modalities. Agilent remains headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol A.

2024
BioVectra acquisition announced
[4]Agilent Technologiesen.wikipedia.org
Agilent announced a transaction intended to expand its biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing capabilities.
2014
Keysight separation
[4]Agilent Technologiesen.wikipedia.org
Agilent completed the separation of its electronic-measurement business into Keysight Technologies.
2012
Dako acquisition
[4]Agilent Technologiesen.wikipedia.org
Agilent acquired Dako, strengthening cancer diagnostics and pathology offerings.
2010
Varian acquisition completed
[6]Agilent shareholder resources and Varian acquisition informationinvestor.agilent.com
The Varian acquisition expanded Agilent's analytical-instrument and life-science capabilities.
2000
Agilent becomes independent from HP
[2]Agilent company historyagilent.com
HP distributed its remaining Agilent ownership to HP shareholders on June 2, completing the separation.
1999
Agilent is established through an HP spin-off
[2]Agilent company historyagilent.com
Hewlett-Packard announced the creation of Agilent from its measurement, components, chemical-analysis, and medical-related businesses.
1999
Initial public offering
[3]Agilent history timeline: 1999agilent.com
Agilent's November 18 IPO raised approximately $2.1 billion and set a Silicon Valley IPO record at the time.

Products and positioning

Premium scientific-instrument and laboratory-workflow provider focused on dependable measurement, integrated analytical solutions, data integrity, regulatory support, and long-term service relationships.

Gas chromatography
8890 GC
The 8890 GC is Agilent's high-end gas-chromatography platform for laboratories analyzing volatile and semi-volatile compounds. It is used in applications such as environmental testing, food analysis, petrochemical work, pharmaceutical testing, and forensic analysis. The platform is designed for repeatable separations, laboratory automation, method control, and integration with detectors and data systems.
Mass spectrometry
6545 Q-TOF
The 6545 Q-TOF is a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer used for accurate-mass analysis, compound identification, screening, and research workflows. It can be paired with liquid-chromatography systems and is relevant to proteomics, metabolomics, pharmaceutical research, food testing, and other applications requiring high-resolution mass information.
Molecular spectroscopy
Cary 60 UV-Vis
The Cary 60 UV-Vis is an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer for quantitative and qualitative measurement of liquid and solid samples. It is used in research, education, pharmaceutical quality control, chemical analysis, and materials-related applications. The product represents Agilent's spectroscopy business and can be incorporated into routine laboratory workflows.
Liquid chromatography
HPLC and liquid-chromatography systems
Agilent's HPLC and liquid-chromatography portfolio includes systems, modules, detectors, columns, software, and accessories for separating and measuring compounds in complex samples. These systems are widely used in pharmaceutical development and quality control, food and environmental testing, chemical analysis, and academic research.
Clinical diagnostics
Pathology and companion-diagnostics solutions
Agilent's diagnostics portfolio includes pathology products and companion-diagnostics technologies associated with cancer testing. These offerings support tissue analysis, biomarker assessment, and clinical or research workflows. The business traces a significant part of its expansion to the acquisition of Dako.

Marketing campaigns

2018Agilent Companion Diagnostics Campaign
Healthcare · Clinical diagnostics · Global
Agilent and agency Flywheel developed integrated marketing materials for companion-diagnostics offerings, including print, digital, brochure, and training communications.
Outcome. The campaign received an Integrated Award of Excellence at the 31st Annual Rx Club Show.
Source
Technical content and laboratory-workflow marketing
Global · Life sciences · Applied chemical markets · Diagnostics
Agilent uses application notes, scientific papers, webinars, training, conferences, trade shows, search marketing, professional social media, and targeted digital communications to educate specialist buyers and promote integrated laboratory workflows.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
Acquisition of BioVectra announcedM&A
Background
Agilent sought to expand its biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing capabilities.
Action taken
Agilent announced an agreement to acquire BioVectra.
Aftermath
The planned combination was intended to add capabilities in specialized therapeutic modalities, including oligonucleotides and CRISPR-related therapeutics.
Source
2013
Decision to separate electronic measurementStrategy
Background
Agilent determined that its electronic-measurement activities and laboratory-focused businesses would be better managed as separate companies.
Action taken
The company announced a separation that created Keysight Technologies.
Aftermath
The separation was completed on November 1, 2014, leaving Agilent focused on life sciences, diagnostics, and applied markets.
Source
2012
Acquisition of DakoM&A
Background
Agilent wanted to expand in cancer diagnostics and pathology.
Action taken
Agilent acquired Dako, a Danish cancer-diagnostics company.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened Agilent's diagnostics and pathology business.
Source
2010
Acquisition of VarianM&A
Background
Agilent sought to broaden its analytical-instrument portfolio and strengthen its position in life-science and applied markets.
Action taken
Agilent completed the acquisition of Varian Inc.
Aftermath
Varian's technologies and customer base became part of Agilent's analytical-solutions portfolio.
Source
1999
Spin-off from Hewlett-PackardStrategy
Background
HP sought to separate several technology businesses, including measurement and chemical-analysis activities, into a focused public company.
Action taken
Agilent was created and launched through a public offering in November 1999.
Aftermath
The company became fully independent from HP in June 2000.
IPO proceeds. Approximately US$2.1 billion raised (November 18, 1999)
Source

Recent events

Unconfirmed
Agilent acquires ACIES technology[8]安捷伦收购 ACIES 技术biospectrumindia.com
Agilent Technologies acquired AI technology developed by Virtual Control, including the intellectual property and other assets associated with ACIES, and said it would integrate the technology into its lab informatics platforms.
2022-02-17
Agilent acquires ACIES technology and assets[9]Agilent收购ACIES技术及相关资产iconnect007.com
Reported: 2022-02-17
Agilent announced that it acquired AI technology developed by Virtual Control, including the ACIES software and associated assets, and said it would integrate the technology into its laboratory platforms and MassHunter software package.
Unconfirmed
Oxford BioDynamics and Agilent signed a supply and resale agreement[10]Oxford BioDynamics与安捷伦签署供应及转售协议finanznachrichten.de
Reported: 2021-03-31
Oxford BioDynamics and Agilent Technologies signed a supply and resale agreement for manufacturing and selling the EpiSwitch Explorer Array Kit. Agilent will supply a custom-made microarray, and Oxford BioDynamics has exclusive supply and distribution rights for the kit.
2021-03-08
Agilent announces acquisition of Resolution Bioscience[11]安捷伦宣布收购Resolution Biosciencefinance.sina.com.cn
Reported: 2021-03-08
Agilent Technologies agreed to acquire liquid-biopsy company Resolution Bioscience for $550 million in upfront cash, with up to $145 million in additional payments tied to future performance milestones. The transaction was expected to close in April 2021.
2021-02-22
FDA approves Agilent assay for use as a companion diagnostic[12]FDA批准Agilent检测作为伴随诊断pharmacytimes.com
Reported: 2021-02-24
The FDA approved Agilent Technologies' PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx assay for expanded use in non-small cell lung cancer, including as a companion diagnostic for first-line cemiplimab monotherapy in eligible patients with advanced disease.
2020-11-24
Agilent announces NanoDis System[13]安捷伦宣布推出 NanoDis 系统biospectrumindia.com
Agilent Technologies announced the introduction of the NanoDis System for nanoparticle dissolution testing.
2020-08-20
Biofidelity completes $12 million Series A financing[14]Biofidelity完成1200万美元A轮融资finance.yahoo.com
Reported: 2020-08-20
Biofidelity announced the successful completion of a $12 million Series A financing, led by BlueYard Capital and backed by other investors, including Longwall Ventures and Agilent Technologies.
Unconfirmed
FDA approves expanded use of Agilent PD-L1 assay[15]FDA 批准扩大使用 Agilent 的 PD-L1 检测产品biospectrumindia.com
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Agilent’s PD-L1 IHC 28-8 pharmDx for expanded use in non-small cell lung cancer, including as an aid in identifying patients with metastatic disease for treatment with Opdivo and Yervoy.
2020-04-06
Agilent introduces Vaya Raman verification system[16]Agilent推出Vaya Raman验证系统biospectrumindia.com
Agilent Technologies announced the launch of the Vaya Raman raw material identity verification system, a handheld instrument designed for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical quality-control testing.
2020-01-29
Agilent introduces SureSelect XT HS2 DNA Kit[17]安捷伦推出 SureSelect XT HS2 DNA Kitbiospectrumindia.com
Agilent introduced the SureSelect XT HS2 DNA Kit, a product designed to address challenges laboratories encounter when preparing DNA sequencing libraries for research.

Showing the 10 most recent.

Sources20 sources

Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/agilent · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled