we also made strategic acquisitions. in 2005, r&d systems acquired fortron bioscience, inc., a developer and manufacturer of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, antigens, and other biological reagents. with this purchase, we also acquired biospacific, inc., a worldwide supplier of immunological reagents to the commercial diagnostic industry and a company with skills in supporting customers collaboratively from feasibility testing to manufacturing. the acquisitions enhanced r&d systems’ ability to serve the diagnostics industry. fortron was merged into r&d systems biotechnology division in july 2007. in april, 2011, r&d systems acquired the assets of boston biochem, inc., a leading global developer and manufacturer of innovative ubiquitin-related research products. founded in 1997, boston biochem specializes in several related product lines for ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins and associated enzymes, substrates, inhibitors, and kits. these specialized products facilitate and accelerate biomedical research and drug discovery efforts.