UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For The Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005

Commission File Number 000-30833

BRUKER BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

40 Manning Road

Billerica, MA 01821

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(978) 663-3660

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

None

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

Common Stock $.01 par value

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer x   Non-accelerated filer  o .

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes o  No x

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2005 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $149,221,280 million, based on the reported last sale price on the Nasdaq National Market on that date. This amount excludes an aggregate of 52,076,694 million shares of common stock held by officers and directors and each person known by the registrant to own 10% or more of the outstanding common stock of the registrant as of June 30, 2005. Exclusion of shares held by any person should not be construed to indicate that such person possesses the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of the registrant, or that such person is controlled by or under common control with the registrant. The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 10, 2006 was 90,074,303.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The information required by Part III of this report (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) is incorporated by reference from Bruker BioSciences Corporation’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

BRUKER BIOSCIENCES CORPORATION
Annual Report on Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

Any statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations, but are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to the Company’s integration risks, failure of conditions, technological approaches, product development, market acceptance, cost and pricing of the Company’s products, changes in governmental regulations, capital spending and government funding policies, FDA and other regulatory approvals to the extent applicable, competition, the intellectual property of others, patent protection and litigation and other factors, many of which are described in more detail in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” and from time to time in other filings we may make with the

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Securities and Exchange Commission. While the Company may elect to update forward-looking statements in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, even if the Company’s estimates change, and readers should not rely on those forward-looking statements as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of the filing of this report.

References to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “Bruker BioSciences” refer to Bruker BioSciences Corporation and, in some cases, its subsidiaries, as well as all predecessor entities.

Our principal executive offices are located at 40 Manning Road, Billerica, MA 01821, and our telephone number is (978) 663-3660. Information about Bruker BioSciences is available at www.bruker-biosciences.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into and does not form a part of this report. All trademarks, trade names or copyrights referred to in this report are the property of their respective owners.

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PART I

ITEM 1.                BUSINESS

Our Business

We design and market products to address the rapidly evolving needs of the life science industry, and we are the publicly traded parent company of both Bruker Daltonics Inc. and Bruker AXS Inc. Bruker Daltonics is a leading developer and provider of innovative life science tools based on mass spectrometry, which includes a broad range of field analytical systems for nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) detection. Bruker AXS is a leading developer and provider of life science and advanced materials research tools based on X-ray technology.

We were incorporated in Massachusetts as Bruker Federal Systems Corporation. In February 2000, we reincorporated in Delaware as Bruker Daltonics Inc. In July 2003, we merged with Bruker AXS Inc., a company under common control, and we were the surviving corporation in that merger. In connection with the merger, we changed our name to Bruker BioSciences Corporation and formed two operating subsidiaries, Bruker Daltonics and Bruker AXS, into which we transferred substantially all of the assets and liabilities, except cash.

Competitive Strengths and Strategy

We believe our key competitive strengths include our:

·       broad product and service offerings in the markets we serve;

·       commitment to innovative, reliable and performance leading products and solutions for our customers;

·       premier global brand;

·       extensive intellectual property portfolio; and

·       worldwide global manufacturing, distribution and logistics networks.

Our strategy is to capitalize on our proven ability to innovate and generate rapid revenue growth, both organically and through acquisitions. We believe our commitment to be an even more significant leader within our markets, to maintain above industry-standard growth and to leverage our continued research and development and distribution investments, will enhance our operating margins and improve our earnings.

Business Segments

We report financial results on two reportable operating segments: Bruker Daltonics and Bruker AXS.

The mass spectrometers manufactured and sold by our Bruker Daltonics business are sophisticated scientific devices that measure the mass or weight of a molecule and can provide accurate information on the identity, quantity and primary structure of molecules. Our mass spectrometry-based solutions often combine advanced mass spectrometry instrumentation; automated sampling and sample preparation robots; reagent kits and other consumables used in conducting tests, or assays; and bioinformatics software. We offer mass spectrometry systems and integrated solutions for applications in multiple existing and emerging life-science markets including genomics, expression proteomics, clinical proteomics, metabolic and peptide biomarker profiling, drug discovery and development, molecular diagnostics research and molecular and systems biology, as well as basic molecular medicine research. Our substantial investments in research and development allow us to design, manufacture and market a broad array of products and solutions intended to meet the rapidly growing needs of our diverse customer base. Our

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customers include pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, proteomics companies, molecular diagnostics companies, academic institutions and government agencies. In addition, we market some of our life science systems through strategic distribution arrangements with Agilent Technologies, Sequenom and others. We also sell a wide range of portable analytical and bioanalytical detection systems and related products for NBC detection. Our customers use these devices for detection in emergency response, homeland security and defense applications.

The X-ray systems manufactured and sold by our Bruker AXS X-ray business are advanced scientific instruments that use extremely short electromagnetic wavelengths to determine the characteristics and composition of matter as well as the three-dimensional structure of molecules. Depending on the application, our X-ray systems utilize one of four core X-ray analysis methods: single crystal diffraction, known as SCD or X-ray crystallography; polycrystalline X-ray diffraction, known as XRD or X-ray diffraction; X-ray fluorescence, known as XRF; and X-ray microanalysis. Using our modular platforms, we often combine each of these technology applications with sample preparation tools, automation, consumables and data analysis software. Our products, which have particular application in structural proteomics, drug discovery and materials and nanotechnology research fields, provide our customers with the ability to determine the three-dimensional structure of specific molecules, such as proteins, and to characterize and determine the properties and composition of materials. Our customers include biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, nanotechnology companies, semiconductor companies, raw material manufacturers, chemical companies, academic institutions and other businesses involved in materials and structure analysis.

Products and Solutions

Bruker Daltonics

Bruker Daltonics has developed a suite of mass spectrometry instruments that address a wide range of life sciences applications. Mass spectrometry is the method of choice for primary structure analysis, including the determination of amino acid sequence and post-translational modifications. Mass spectrometry is thus a key enabling technology of the expression proteomics laboratory. Mass spectrometers are also increasingly used for the discovery of peptide, protein or metabolite biomarkers and panels or patterns of biomarkers. These biomarkers can be used for toxicity screening or to assess drug efficacy in pre-clinical trials in pharmaceutical drug development. They are also used in clinical research and validation studies in an effort to develop the emerging field of protein molecular diagnostics.

Mass spectrometers are devices for measuring the mass, or weight, of intact molecules and of fragments of molecules which can provide structural information on the molecule. Mass spectrometry systems employ an ionization source which creates charged molecules and a mass separation/detection component that separates these charged molecules on the basis of mass to detect their presence and quantity. Mass spectrometry has been used in physics and chemistry for over fifty years. Over the past fifteen years, mass spectrometry has emerged as a powerful research tool in the life sciences. For example, mass spectrometers can determine the identity, amount, structure, sequence and other biological properties of small molecules, like drug candidates and metabolites, as well as large biomolecules, like proteins and DNA.

Bruker Daltonics’ life science solutions are based on the following four core mass spectrometry technology platforms:

·       MALDI-TOF—Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, including tandem time-of-flight systems (MALDI-TOF/TOF);

·       ESI-TOF—Electrospray ionization time-of-flight spectrometry, including tandem mass spectrometry systems based on ESI-quadrupole-TOF mass spectrometry (ESI-Q-q-TOF);

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·       FTMS—Fourier transform mass spectrometry, including hybrid systems with a quadrupole front end (Q-q-FTMS); and

·       ITMS—Ion trap mass spectrometry.

Time-of-flight spectrometers measure mass based on the time it takes for charged molecules to travel from the ionization source to the detection component. With the ability to analyze as many as 100,000 samples per day, these mass spectrometers currently have the highest sample throughput and can analyze the broadest range of masses of any mass spectrometer for use in the fields of genomics and proteomics. Our time-of-flight mass spectrometry solutions make full use of this potential for increased speed by automating various steps of the analysis. Our-time-of-flight solutions combine high sensitivity, accuracy and throughput to generate large volumes of accurate raw data for detection of genetic variations such as single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, as well as for peptide analysis and proteomics in general.

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers utilize an ionization process to analyze solid samples using a laser that combines high sample throughput with high mass range and sensitivity. Our MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers are particularly useful for: (a) oligonucleotide and synthetic polymer analysis; (b) protein identification; (c) peptide de novo sequencing; (d) determination of post-translational modifications of proteins; (e) interaction proteomics and protein function analysis; (f) drug discovery and development; and (g) fast body fluid and tissue biomarker detection. We currently offer the following MALDI-TOF instruments:

 

These products can also utilize our AnchorChip microarrays that prepare samples for analysis. These microarrays employ patented microfluidics technology that improves sensitivity and reduces analysis time per sample by concentrating, or “anchoring”, the sample in a precisely defined location.

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ESI-TOF mass spectrometers utilize an electrospray ionization process to analyze liquid samples. This ionization process, which does not dissociate the molecules, allows for rapid data acquisition and analysis of large biological molecules. ESI-TOF mass spectrometers are particularly useful for: (a) identification, protein analysis and functional complex analysis in proteomics and protein function; (b) molecular identification in metabonomics, natural product and drug metabolite analysis; (c) combinatorial chemistry high throughput screening, or HTS; and (d) fast liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, or LC/MS, in drug discovery and development. We currently offer the following ESI-TOF instruments:

 

FTMS systems utilize high-field superconducting magnets to offer the highest resolution, selectivity, and mass accuracy currently achievable in mass spectrometry. Our systems based on this technology often eliminate the need for time-consuming separation techniques in complex mixture analyses. In addition, our systems can fragment molecular ions to perform exact mass analysis on all fragments to determine molecular structure. FTMS systems are particularly useful for: (a) the study of structure and function of biomolecules including proteins, DNA and natural products; (b) complex mixture analysis including body fluids or combinatorial libraries; (c) high throughput proteomics and metabonomics; and (d) top-down proteomics of intact proteins without the need for enzymatic digestion of the proteins prior to analysis. We continue to offer next-generation hybrid FTMS systems which combine a traditional external quadrupole mass selector and hexapole collision cell, with a high-performance FTMS for further ion dissociation, top-down proteomics tools, and ultra-high resolution detection. We currently offer the following FTMS systems:

 

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ITMS systems collect all ions simultaneously which improves sensitivity relative to previous quadrupole mass spectrometers. Ion trap mass spectrometers are particularly useful for: (a) sequencing and identification based on peptide structural analysis; (b) quantitative liquid chromatography mass spectrometry; (c) identification of combinatorial libraries; and (d) generally enhancing the speed and efficiency of the drug discovery and development process. We currently offer the following ITMS systems:

 

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Our mass spectrometers can be combined with solutions packages and sample preparation robots designed to enhance throughput of genomics, proteomics and metabonomics analysis. Sales of Bruker Daltonics solutions packages and sample preparation robots are included in combination of sales from our four mass spectrometry platforms, as well as partly in our aftermarket business (see Bruker Daltonics’ Aftermarket). We currently offer the following solution packages:

 

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Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Detection

We sell a wide range of portable analytical and bioanalytical detection systems and related products for NBC detection. Our customers use these devices for nuclear, biological agent and chemical agent defense applications, anti-terrorism, law enforcement and process and facilities monitoring. Our NBC detection products use many of the same technology platforms as our life science products, as well as additional technologies, such as infrared remote detection, or ion mobility spectrometry for handheld chemical detectors. We also provide integrated, comprehensive detection suites which include our multiple detection systems, consumables, training and simulators. We currently offer the following systems:

 

Bruker Daltonics’ Aftermarket

In addition to system and solution sales, Bruker Daltonics generates revenue from consumables, automation and separation products, training and services, and bioinformatics and software. Bruker Daltonics aftermarket sales contributed revenue of $30.6 million, $30.2 million and $27.6 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. We sell consumables for preparing, purifying and processing samples prior to mass spectrometric analyses as well as consumables for collecting samples for NBC detection.

Upon expiration of the warranty period associated with a system sale, which is typically one year, we also generate service revenues from our customers through service contracts, repair calls, training and other support services. Service revenue is generated either through post-warranty service contracts or on-demand service calls. The number of customers entering into service contracts varies by geographic region. Additionally, for Bruker Daltonics’ NBC detection systems, we have developed training products, including complete system simulator installations.

In addition to providing service, consumables and replacement parts, we generate recurring revenue through the sale to our customers of a variety of accessory items. Among other things, we have automated control software to integrate separation devices and robotics into our solutions, we provide bioinformatics software to generate useable information from large volumes of raw data, and we offer intuitive data acquisition and analysis software on a Microsoft Windows platform to make our systems accessible to non-experts.

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Bruker AXS

Bruker AXS’ X-ray systems integrate powerful detectors with advanced X-ray sources, computer-controlled positioning systems, sample handling devices and data collection and analysis software to acquire, analyze and manage elemental and molecular information. These integrated solutions address many of the matter characterization and structure needs of the life science, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, raw material and research industries across a broad range of applications. We provide high speed, sensitive systems for a variety of areas, including three-dimensional structure determination, protein crystal screening and molecular structure determination for the structural proteomics market as well as the small molecule drug discovery market. Additionally, we provide high-speed, automated systems for elemental analysis as well as high throughput, cost-effective systems for other areas, including combinatorial screening. We also sell other systems such as thermal analyzers, primarily in Japan, which measure the physical characteristics of materials as a function of temperature and can be used in development, production and characterization of materials in a variety of industries.

Bruker AXS X-ray systems are based on the following four core X-ray technology applications:

·       XRD—Polycrystalline X-ray diffraction, often referred to using the term X-ray diffraction;

·       XRF—X-ray fluorescence, also called X-ray spectrometry;

·       SCD—Single crystal X-ray diffraction, often referred to as X-ray crystallography; and

·       MA—X-ray microanalysis.

XRD systems investigate polycrystalline samples or thin films with single wavelength X-rays. The atoms in the polycrystalline sample scatter the X-rays to create a unique diffraction pattern recorded by a detector. Computer software processes the pattern and produces a variety of information, including stress, texture, qualitative and quantitative phase composition, crystallite size, percent crystallinity and layer thickness, composition, defects and density of thin films and semiconductor material. Our XRD systems combine modular, high precision and high quality ergonomic designs with broad applications for use in basic research and industrial process control. Our XRD systems contribute to a reduction in the development cycles for new products in the catalyst, polymer, electronic, optical material and semiconductor industries. Customers also use our XRD systems for analyses in a variety of other fields, including forensics, art and archaeology. We currently offer the following XRD systems:

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XRF systems determine the elemental composition of a material and provide a full qualitative and quantitative analysis. Our XRF systems direct X-rays at a sample, and the atoms in the sample absorb the X-ray energy. The elements in the sample then emit X-rays which are characteristic for each element. The system collects the X-rays, and the software analyzes the resulting data to determine the elements which are present. Our XRF products provide automated solutions on a turn-key basis in response to the industrial marketplace demand for automated, controlled production processes that reduce product and process cost, increase output and improve product quality. Our XRF products cover substantially all of the periodic table and can analyze solid, powder or liquid samples. In addition, our XRF products require minimal sample preparation. We currently offer the following XRF systems:

 

SCD systems determine the three-dimensional structures of molecules in a chemical, mineral or biological substance being analyzed. SCD systems have the capability to determine structure in both small chemical molecules and larger biomolecules. SCD systems direct an X-ray beam at a solid, single crystal sample. The atoms in the crystal sample scatter the X-rays to create a precise diffraction pattern recorded by an electronic detector. Software then reconstructs a model of the structure and provides the unique arrangement of the atoms in the sample. This information on the exact arrangement of atoms in the

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sample is a critical part of molecular analysis and can provide insight into a variety of areas, including how a protein functions or interacts with a second molecule. Our SCD systems combine high sensitivity and rapid data collection to quickly generate accurate structures for use in the life sciences industry, academic research and a variety of other applications. We currently offer the following SCD systems:

 

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MA systems analyze the chemical composition of materials under investigation in electron microscopes, utilizing the fact that atoms of different chemical elements irradiate X-rays of different, characteristic energy. The evaluation of the energy spectrum collected by an energy dispersive X-ray detector allows the determination of the qualitative and quantitative chemical sample composition at the current beam position. This technique provides a very high spatial resolution since the information is obtained from a very small sample volume in the order of only a few microns. MA systems allow for simultaneous analysis of all elements in the periodic table, beginning with atomic number 5 (boron). Our MA systems are used for a wide range of applications including nanotechnology and advanced materials research, as well as materials analysis and quality control. Customers for MA systems include industrial customers, academia and government research facilities. We currently offer the following MA system:

 

Other Systems Revenue

Other systems revenue relates primarily to the distribution of products not manufactured by Bruker AXS, such as a Bruker AXS instrument combined with an NMR instrument manufactured by our affiliate Bruker BioSpin or an FT-IR interferometer manufactured by our affiliate Bruker Optics. Sales of other systems include sales in combination with a Bruker AXS instrument as well as sales of stand-alone systems. Other systems revenue is typically generated in countries where our affiliates do not have a presence, such as South Africa, Poland and Brazil. Sales of other systems contributed revenue of $6.8 million and $1.7 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively, and none in the year 2003.

Bruker AXS’ Aftermarket

In addition to system and solution sales, Bruker AXS generates revenues from sales of service, consumables and related products. Bruker AXS aftermarket sales contributed revenue of $34.1 million, $33.9 million and $29.7 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Given the demands our products face in the field, general maintenance and replacement of consumables such as X-ray tubes and other parts is routine. We supply a large quantity of replacement X-ray tubes to customers over the lives of our systems. Upon expiration of the warranty period, we generate service revenues from our customers through service contracts, repair calls, training and other support services. Service revenue is generated either through post-warranty service contracts or on-demand service calls. The number of customers entering into service contracts varies by geographic region.

In addition to providing service, consumables and replacement parts, we generate recurring revenue through the sale to our customers of a variety of accessory items, including sample handling devices, temperature and pressure control devices, enhanced X-ray optics and software packages. We also provide system upgrades to customers who desire to upgrade, rather than replace, older systems.

Research and Development

We commit substantial capital and resources to internal and collaborative research and development projects in order to provide innovative products and solutions to our customers. Within Bruker

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BioSciences, we conduct research primarily to enhance system performance and improve the reliability of existing products, and to develop new innovative products and solutions. We expensed $41.4 million, $43.2 million and $37.2 million in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively, for research and development purposes. Our research and development efforts are conducted in the relevant products within the Bruker Daltonics and Bruker AXS businesses as well as in collaboration with one another on common topics such as microfluidics, automation and workflow management software.

Bruker Daltonics maintains technical competencies in core mass spectrometry technologies and capabilities, including MALDI and ESI ion sources; TOF, TOF/TOF, and MS analyzers;  Laboratory Information Management Systems; and software. The research and development performed by Bruker Daltonics is primarily conducted at our facilities in Billerica, MA, U.S.A., Bremen, Germany, and Leipzig, Germany. Bruker Daltonics also accepts some sponsored research contracts from external agencies such as government or private sources. Historically, we have been the recipient of significant government grants from the German and United States governments for various projects for early-stage research and development. We have generally retained at least non-exclusive rights to any items or enhancements we develop under these grants. The German government requires that we use and market technology developed under grants in order to retain our rights to the technology. In 2005, 2004, and 2003, our Bruker Daltonics operating segment received government-sponsored research and development grants in the amounts of $2.1 million, $2.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

Bruker AXS maintains technical competencies in core X-ray technologies and capabilities, including detectors used to sense X-ray diffraction patterns, X-ray sources and optics that generate and focus the X-rays, robotics and sample handling equipment which hold and manipulate the experimental material, and software that generates the structural data. Recent projects included refining next generation high brilliancy optics and microsources, developing new high power X-ray sources for X-ray diffraction and protein crystallography applications, developing a system with combined XRD and Raman technology for applications in high throughput combinatorial analysis, developing a new large solid angle, high resolution, high throughput ED X-ray detector for microanalysis and creating a high sensitivity area detector system and developing other solution-based technologies and software applications. In the past, Bruker AXS has accepted some sponsored research contracts, mainly from private sources. The research and development performed by Bruker AXS is primarily conducted at our facilities in Madison, WI, U.S.A., Karlsruhe, Germany, Delft, the Netherlands, and Yokohama, Japan.

Customers

We have a broad and diversified global life sciences and advanced materials customer base. Our life science customer base is composed primarily of end-users and includes pharmaceutical, biotechnology, proteomics, agricultural biotechnology, molecular diagnostics and fine chemical companies, as well as commercial laboratories, university laboratories, medical schools and other not-for profit research institutes and government laboratories. We sell our X-ray materials research products to the above customer groups as well as to a number of semiconductor, polymer, automotive, cement, steel, aluminum and combinatorial materials design companies. Our customers generally do not have a need to buy numerous systems at one time, and historically we have not depended on any single customer in the sale of our systems. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue in any of the last three fiscal years.

Competition

Our existing products and solutions and any products and solutions that we develop may compete in multiple, highly competitive markets. Many of our potential competitors in these markets have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. They may offer or succeed in developing products that could render our products or those of our strategic partners obsolete or

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noncompetitive. In addition, many of these competitors have significantly more experience in the life sciences and advanced materials markets. Our ability to compete successfully will depend on our ability to develop proprietary products that reach the market in a timely manner and are technologically superior to and/or are less expensive, or more cost effective, than other products marketed by our competitors. Current competitors or other companies may possess or develop technologies and products that are more effective than ours. Our technologies and products may be rendered obsolete or uneconomical by technological advances or entirely different approaches developed by one or more of our competitors.

Bruker Daltonics competes with a variety of companies that offer mass spectrometry-based systems. Bruker Daltonics competitors in the life sciences area include Applied Biosystems/Sciex, Agilent, GE Healthcare, Waters, Thermo Electron (which includes Finnigan), Shimadzu/Kratos, Ciphergen, Hitachi, JEOL and various automation companies. Bruker Daltonics’ NBC detection customers are highly fragmented, and we compete with a number of companies in this area, of which the most significant competitor is Smith Detection in the U.K.

Bruker AXS competes with companies that offer analytical X-ray solutions, primarily Rigaku (a private Japanese company) Oxford Instruments, Thermo Electron, Ametek/Spectro and Panalytical (formerly a division of Philips, now a division of Spectris, a public U.K. company). Other competitors produce products based on some of the technology platforms that we utilize; however, none of them produce products utilizing all of our major technology platforms. Some of them have a greater market share than we have in particular technology platform areas.

We also compete with other companies that provide analytical or automation tools based on other technologies. These technologies may prove to be more successful in meeting demands in the markets that our products and solutions serve. In addition, other companies may choose to enter our field in the future. We believe that the principal competitive factors in our markets are technology base applications expertise, product specifications and functionality, marketing expertise, distribution capability, proprietary patent portfolios, cost and cost effectiveness.

Sales and Marketing

We maintain direct sales forces throughout most of North America, the European Union, and Japan. We have well equipped application and demonstration facilities and qualified application personnel who assist customers and provide product demonstrations in specific application areas. We maintain our primary demonstration facilities at our production facilities as well as in key markets elsewhere.

We also utilize indirect sales channels to reach customers. We have various international distributors and independent sales representatives, including affiliated companies and various representatives in parts of Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. These distributors provide coverage in areas where we do not have direct sales personnel. In addition, we have adopted a distribution business model where we engage in strategic distribution alliances with other companies to address certain market segments. Bruker Daltonics maintains primary distribution alliances with Agilent and Sequenom. As part of its strategic alliance with Agilent, Bruker Daltonics manufactures an ion trap mass spectrometer which Agilent incorporates into its liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems for distribution into various markets. Through Sequenom, Bruker Daltonics sells medium throughput MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers into clinical genomics markets for medium throughput DNA and SNP analysis. Additionally, Bruker AXS is the worldwide distributor for Nexus’ Crystal Farm line of protein crystallography products. The Crystal Farm is combined with Bruker AXS’ PROTEUM X-ray system, MICROSTAR X-ray source and BruNo robotic sample handler to create a more complete system to produce and evaluate protein crystal structures.

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Sales Cycle

Bruker Daltonics.   The typical time between Bruker Daltonics’ first customer contact and its receipt of a customer’s order for life science systems is three to six months for most product lines. However, this sales cycle can be in excess of a year when a customer must budget the product into an upcoming fiscal year. NBC detection products can have multi-year sales cycles for large production contracts.

Bruker AXS.   The typical sales cycle for Bruker AXS’ products is six to twenty-four months. The sales cycle is twelve to twenty-four months for academic products and six to twelve months for industrial products. The length of Bruker AXS’ sales cycles is primarily dependent on the budgeting cycles of its customers.

Seasonal Nature of Business

We traditionally experience lower revenues in the second and third quarter than throughout the rest of the year. In addition, our fourth quarter revenues have historically been stronger than the rest of the year.

Intellectual Property

Our intellectual property consists of patents, copyrights, trade secrets, know-how and trademarks. Protection of our intellectual property is a strategic priority for each segment of our business because of the length of time and expense associated with bringing new products through the development process and to the marketplace. We have a substantial patent portfolio, and we intend to file additional patent applications as appropriate. We believe our owned and licensed patent portfolio provides us with a competitive advantage. This portfolio permits us to maintain access to a number of key technologies. We license our owned patent rights where appropriate. We intend to enforce our patent rights against infringers if necessary.

The patent positions of life sciences tools companies involve complex legal and factual questions. As a result, we cannot predict the enforceability of our patents with certainty. In addition, we are aware of the existence from time to time of patents in certain countries which, if valid, could impair our ability to manufacture and sell products in these countries.

Bruker Daltonics is a party to an agreement dated as of August 10, 1998 with Indiana University’s Advanced Research and Technology Institute (IU-ARTI), which is the technology transfer arm of Indiana University, pursuant to which we have been granted an exclusive license to specified patent rights and products including three patents that relate to time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We pay IU-ARTI royalties under this agreement and have agreed to allow IU-ARTI to utilize any improvements that we make to the licensed products for research and educational purposes on a non-exclusive, royalty-free basis. IU-ARTI may terminate the agreement if we default on our obligations or become bankrupt. We may terminate the agreement with six months notice. The license granted by the agreement expires at the later of August 10, 2008 or expiration of the licensed patent rights. In connection with a previous collaboration agreement between Bruker Daltonics and IU-ARTI, IU-ARTI has agreed to perform experiments for Bruker Daltonics, as requested, in exchange for a flat fee and a percentage fee of any sales of products developed for us by IU-ARTI.

Bruker Daltonics is also a party to an agreement with Applied Biosystems Group, an Applera Corporation business, and IU-ARTI. The agreement is for the licensing of a portfolio of significant mass spectrometry patents. As part of the agreement, we have been appointed the exclusive agent for licensing this combined intellectual property to the life-science industry. These patent portfolios relate to MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and cover the significant technology called Space-Velocity Correlation Focusing (SVCF), or Delayed Extraction. This technology improves both accuracy and sensitivity, and is implemented in most modern MALDI-TOF systems. As licensing agent for IU-ARTI’s SVCF patents, we

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have granted Applied Biosystems a sub-license in exchange for multi-year payments. Bruker Daltonics and Applied Biosystems also have cross-licensed each other on their respective patent portfolios related to this technology. In addition, as exclusive licensing agent, Bruker Daltonics has granted Waters Corporation a sub-license for a portfolio of these SVCF patents owned by Indiana University, Applied Biosystems and Bruker Daltonics, in exchange for a one-time technology access fee and multi-year payments.

We also rely upon trade secrets, know-how, trademarks, copyright protection and licensing to develop and maintain our competitive position. We generally require the execution of confidentiality agreements by our employees, consultants and other scientific advisors. These agreements provide that all confidential information made known during the course of a relationship with us will be held in confidence and used only for our benefit. In addition, these agreements provide that we own all inventions generated during the course of the relationship.

Our management considers Bruker, Bruker BioSciences, Bruker Daltonics, Daltonics, Bruker AXS, and AXS to be our material trademarks.

We are a party to various government contracts. Under some of these government contracts, the government may receive license or similar rights to intellectual property developed under the contract. However, under government contracts we enter we generally receive no less than non-exclusive rights to any items or technologies we develop.

Manufacturing and Supplies

Most of our manufacturing facilities are certified under ISO 9001:2000, the most rigorous of the international quality standards. We manufacture and test our mass spectrometry products, including NBC detection products, at our facilities in Billerica, MA, U.S.A., Bremen, Germany, and Leipzig, Germany. In addition, we manufacture and test our X-ray products at our facilities in Madison, WI, U.S.A., Karlsruhe, Germany, Berlin, Germany and Yokohama, Japan. Manufacturing processes at our facilities in Germany include all phases of manufacturing, including machining, fabrication, subassembly, system assembly, and final testing. All other facilities primarily perform high-level assembly, system integration, and final testing. We are insourcing the manufacturing of critical components to ensure in-house key competence.

We purchase material and components from various suppliers that are either standard products or built to our specifications. We obtain some of the components included in our products from a limited group of suppliers or from a single-source supplier for items such as CCD area detectors, X-ray tubes, magnets, ion traps, robotics and infrared optics, among other things. In 1998, Bruker AXS commenced collaboration with Fairchild Imaging, Inc. for the development of CCD area detectors for use in chemical and biological X-ray crystallography. While Fairchild Imaging owns the chip included in the detector, Bruker AXS has exclusive rights for use of the chip in the SCD and XRD fields, subject to minimum purchase requirements. Bruker AXS also owns the rights to the camera in which the chip is placed. In addition, Bruker AXS’ new detector family is based on Bruker AXS’ proprietary MikroGap™ technology (VANTEC product family, which is an XRD detector technology). Bruker AXS has an ongoing collaboration and joint development project with the Siemens AG X-ray tube division (now Siemens Medical Solutions Vacuum Technology Division) in Germany for the development of X-ray tubes. Bruker Daltonics has historically purchased a substantial portion of its magnets from a single supplier, Varian/Magnex, and also obtains certain key components for the manufacture of its ion traps from Agilent, the sole supplier of these components. In addition, Bruker Optics, an affiliated company, is the sole developer and supplier of certain infrared optics and electronics technology used in Bruker Daltonics’ HAWK and RAPID NBC detection systems. Bruker Daltonics also sources certain FTMS electronic modules from Bruker BioSpin, an affiliated company.

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Government Contracts

We are a party to various government contracts. Under some of these government contracts, the government may receive license or similar rights to intellectual property developed under the contract. However, under government contracts we enter we generally receive no less than non-exclusive rights to any items or technologies we develop.

Although we transact business with various government agencies, we believe that no government contract is of such magnitude that a renegotiation of profits or termination of the contract or subcontracts at the election of the government would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results.

Government Regulation

We are required to comply with federal, state, and local environmental protection regulations. We do not expect such compliance to have a significant impact on our capital spending, earnings, or competitive position.

Bruker Daltonics possesses low-level radiation licenses for facilities in Billerica, MA, U.S.A., and Leipzig, Germany. Bruker AXS possesses low-level radiation materials licenses from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for our facility in Madison, Wisconsin, from the local radiation safety authority, Gewerbeaufsichtsamt Karlsruhe, for our facility in Karlsruhe, Germany, from the local radiation safety authority, Ministerie van Volkshuisvesting, Ruimtelijke Ordening en Miliuebeheer, for our facility in Delft, the Netherlands, and from the local radiation safety authority, Kanagawa Prefecture, for our facility in Yokohama, Japan, as well as from various other countries in which we sell our products. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission also has regulations concerning the exposure of our employees to radiation.

Prior to introducing a product in the U.S., Bruker AXS provides notice to the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, in the form of a Radiation Safety Abbreviated Report, which provides identification information and operating characteristics of the product. If the FDA finds that the report is complete, it provides us approval in the form of what is known as an accession number. We may not market a product until we have received an accession number. In addition, we submit an annual report to the FDA that includes, among other things, the radiation safety history of all products we sell in the U.S. We are required to report to the FDA incidents of accidental exposure to radiation arising from the manufacture, testing or use of any of our products. We also report to state governments products which we sell in their states. For sales in Germany, we register each system with the local authorities. In some countries where we sell systems, we use the license we obtained from the federal authorities in Germany to assist us in obtaining a license from the country in which the sale occurs. In addition, as indicated above, we are subject to various other foreign and domestic environmental, health and safety laws and regulations in connection with our operations. Apart from these areas, we are subject to the laws and regulations generally applicable to businesses in the jurisdictions in which we operate.

Working Capital Requirements

To effectively operate our business, we are required to hold significant demonstration inventory and systems shipped but not yet accepted by the customer, or finished goods in-transit. We have well equipped application and demonstration facilities and qualified application personnel who assist customers and provide product demonstrations in specific application areas. We maintain our primary demonstration facilities at our production facilities as well as in key markets elsewhere. In total, we held $16.8 million and $14.6 million of demonstration inventory at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. In addition, we recognize revenue from system sales upon customer acceptance. Therefore, a significant percentage of our inventory represents systems shipped but not yet accepted by the customer. Such finished goods in-transit were $18.4 million and $18.1 million at December 31, 2005 and 2004 respectively. There are no credit terms extended to customers that would have a material adverse effect on our working capital.

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Employees

As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, we had 1,279 and 1,270 full-time and part-time employees worldwide, respectively. Of these employees, 256 and 253 were located in the United States as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The employees based outside of the U.S. are primarily located in Europe.

Financial Information about Geographic Areas and Segments

Financial information about our geographic areas and segments required by Item 1 of Form 10-K may be found in Note 15 to our Financial Statements in this Form 10-K, included as part of Item 8 to this report, which includes information about our revenues from external customers, measure of profit and total assets by reportable segment.

Available Information

Our website is located at www.bruker-biosciences.com. We make available free of charge through this website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.

ITEM 1A.        RISK FACTORS

The following risk factors should be considered in conjunction with the other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This report may include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In addition to those risk factors discussed elsewhere in this report, we identify the following risk factors, which could affect our actual results and cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

If our products fail to achieve and sustain sufficient market acceptance across their broad intended range of applications, we will not generate expected revenue.

Our business strategy depends on our ability to successfully commercialize a broad range of products based on mass spectrometry and X-ray technology for use in a variety of life science applications. Some of our products have only recently been commercially launched and have achieved only limited sales to date. The commercial success of our life science products depends on our obtaining continued and expanding market acceptance of our mass spectrometry and X-ray tools by pharmaceutical, biotechnology and proteomics companies and academic and government research laboratories, among others, across the wide range of applications covered by our product offerings. We may fail to achieve or sustain substantial market acceptance for our products across the full range of our intended life science applications or in one or more of our principal intended life science applications. Any such failure could decrease our sales and revenue. To succeed, we must convince substantial numbers of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and other laboratories to invest in new systems or replace their existing techniques with mass spectrometry and X-ray techniques employing our systems. Limited funding available for capital acquisitions by our customers, as well as our customers’ own internal purchasing approval policies, could hinder market acceptance of our products. Our intended life science customers may be reluctant to make the substantial capital investment generally needed to acquire our products or to incur the training and other costs involved with replacing their existing systems with our products. We also may not be able to convince our intended life science customers that our systems are an attractive and cost-effective alternative to other technologies and systems for the acquisition, analysis and management of molecular information. Because of these and other factors, our products may fail to gain or sustain market acceptance.

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Our products compete in markets that are subject to rapid technological change, and most of our products are based on a range of mass spectrometry and X-ray technologies one or more of which could be made obsolete by new technology.

The market for life science discovery tools is characterized by rapid technological change and frequent new product introductions. Rapidly changing technology could make some or all of our life science product lines obsolete unless we are able to continually improve our existing products and develop new products. Because substantially all of our life science products are based on mass spectrometry and X-ray technology, we are particularly vulnerable to any technological advances that would make either mass spectrometry or X-ray technologies obsolete as the basis for bioanalytical systems in any of our life science markets. To meet the evolving needs of our customers, we must rapidly and continually enhance our current and planned products and services and develop and introduce new products and services. In addition, our product lines are based on complex technologies which are subject to rapid change as new technologies are developed and introduced in the marketplace. We may have difficulty in keeping abreast of the rapid changes affecting each of the different markets we serve or intend to serve. If we fail to develop and introduce products in a timely manner in response to changing technology, market demands or the requirements of our customers, our product sales may decline, and we could experience significant losses.

If we are unable to recover significant development costs of one or more of our products or product lines, our business, results of operations and financial condition may suffer.

We offer and plan to continue to offer a broad product line and incur and expect to continue to incur substantial expenses for the development of new products and enhanced versions of our existing products. Our business model calls for us to derive a significant portion of our revenues each year from products that did not exist in the previous two years. However, we may experience difficulties which may delay or prevent the successful development, introduction and marketing of new products or product enhancements. The speed of technological change in life science and other related markets we serve may prevent us from successfully marketing some or all of our products for the length of time required to recover their often significant development costs. If we fail to recover the development costs of one or more products or product lines, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be harmed.

We face substantial competition.

We face substantial competition and we expect that competition in all of our markets will increase further. Currently, our principal competition comes from established companies providing products using existing technologies, including mass spectrometry, X-ray technology, NBC detection technologies and other technologies, which perform many of the same functions for which we market our products. Other companies also may choose to enter our field in the future. In addition, some of our technologies indirectly compete for funding with technologies and products provided by some of our affiliates, such as Bruker BioSpin; this competition creates the potential for actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Our competitors may develop or market products that are more effective or commercially attractive than our current or future products or that may render our products obsolete. Many of our competitors have more experience in the life sciences market and substantially greater financial, operational, marketing and technical resources than we do which could give them a competitive edge in areas such as research and development, production, marketing and distribution. Our ability to compete successfully will depend, in part, on our ability to develop proprietary products that reach the market in a timely manner and are technologically superior to, less expensive than, or more cost-effective than, other currently marketed products.

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Our operations are dependent upon a limited number of suppliers and contract manufacturers.

We currently purchase components used in our mass spectrometry and X-ray systems from a limited number of outside suppliers. Our reliance on a limited number of suppliers could result in time delays associated with redesigning a product due to an inability to obtain an adequate supply of required components and reduced control over pricing, quality and timely delivery. Any of these factors could adversely affect our revenues and profitability. For example, we currently purchase key components used in our mass spectrometry and X-ray systems from certain suppliers. In particular, Bruker AXS obtains a sophisticated chip for use in its CCD detectors from Fairchild Imaging which, to Bruker AXS’ knowledge, is the only source of a chip of this size and quality. The X-ray microanalysis business of Bruker AXS, which manufactures and sells accessories for electron microscopes, is partially dependent on cooperation from larger manufacturers of electron microscopes. Additionally, Bruker Daltonics purchases a substantial portion of its magnets from a single supplier, Varian/Magnex, and also obtains certain key components for the manufacture of its ion traps from Agilent, the sole supplier of these components. Because of the scarcity of some components, we may be unable to obtain an adequate supply of components, or we may be required to pay higher prices or to purchase components of lesser quality. Any delay or interruption in the supply of these or other components could impair our ability to manufacture and deliver our products, harm our reputation and cause a reduction in our revenues. In addition, any increase in the cost of the components that we use in our products could make our products less competitive and decrease our gross margins. We may not be able to obtain sufficient quantities of required components on the same or substantially the same terms. Additionally, consolidations among our suppliers could result in additional sole source suppliers for us in the future.

Our business could be harmed if our collaborations fail to advance our product development.

Demand for our products will depend in part upon the extent to which our collaborations with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and proteomics companies are successful in developing, or helping us to develop, new products and new applications for our existing products. In addition, we collaborate with academic institutions and government research laboratories on product development. We have limited or no control over the resources that any collaborator may devote to our products. Any of our present or future collaborators may not perform their obligations as expected. If we fail to enter into or maintain appropriate collaboration agreements, or if any of these events occur, we may not be able to develop some of our new products, which could materially impede our ability to generate revenue or profits.

If we lose our strategic partners, our marketing efforts could be impaired.

A substantial portion of our sales of selected products consists of sales to third parties who incorporate our products in their systems. These third parties are responsible for the marketing and sales of their systems. We have little or no control over their marketing and sales activities or how they use their resources. Our present or future strategic partners may or may not purchase sufficient quantities of products from us or perform appropriate marketing and sales activities. In addition, if we are unable to maintain our relationships with strategic partners, our business may suffer. Failures by our present or future strategic partners, or our inability to maintain or enter into new arrangements with strategic partners for product distribution, could materially impede the growth of our business and our ability to generate sufficient revenue and profits.

If we are unable to make or complete future mergers, acquisitions or strategic alliances as a part of our growth strategy or integrate any such mergers, acquisitions or strategic alliances, our business development may suffer.

Our strategy includes potentially expanding our technology base through selected mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances. In 2005, our indirect subsidiary, Bruker AXS GmbH, acquired Roentec AG, a broad-based X-ray analysis instrumentation company based in Berlin, Germany, and our direct

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subsidiary, Bruker AXS, acquired the microanalysis business of Princeton Gamma-Tech Instruments, Inc., a company located in Rocky Hill, New Jersey. The acquired businesses were combined to form a new group within Bruker AXS that will focus on the X-ray microanalysis market, a market not previously addressed by Bruker AXS. In the first quarter of 2006, Bruker AXS GmbH completed its acquisition of SOCABIM SAS, a privately-held Paris, France based company focused on advanced X-ray materials research and analysis software.

We may seek to continue to expand our technology base through mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances. If we fail to effect mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances, our technology base may not expand as quickly and efficiently as possible. Without such complementary growth from selected mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances, our ability to keep up with the evolving needs of the market and to meet our future performance goals could be adversely affected. However, we may not be able to find attractive candidates, or enter into mergers, acquisitions or strategic alliances on terms that are favorable to us, or successfully integrate the operations of companies that we acquire. In addition, we may compete with other companies for these merger, acquisition or strategic alliance candidates, which could make such a transaction more expensive for us. If we are able to successfully identify and complete a merger, acquisition or strategic alliance, it could involve a number of risks, including, among others:

·       the difficulty coordinating or consolidating geographically separate organizations and integrating personnel with different business backgrounds and corporate cultures;

·       the difficulty of integrating previously autonomous departments in accounting and finance, sales and marketing, distribution, and administrative functions, and expanding and integrating information and management systems;

·       the diversion of resources and management time;

·       the potential disruption of our ongoing business; and

·       the potential impairment of relationships with customers as a result of changes in management or otherwise arising out of such transactions.

If we are not able to successfully integrate acquired businesses, we may not be able to realize all of the cost savings and other benefits that we expect to result from the transactions.

Goodwill and other intangible assets are subject to impairment.

As a result of the merger of Bruker Daltonics and Bruker AXS in July 2003, we recorded goodwill and other intangible assets, which must be continually evaluated for potential impairment. In addition, the recent acquisitions of Roentec AG and the microanalysis business of Princeton Gamma-Tech Instruments, Inc. resulted in additional goodwill and other intangible assets. We assess the realizability of the goodwill and other intangible assets annually as well as whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired. These events or circumstances generally include operating losses or a significant decline in the earnings associated with the business segment these acquisitions are reported within. Our ability to realize the value of the goodwill will depend on the future cash flows of the business segment in addition to how well we integrate the businesses.

In addition to the risks applicable to our life science products, our NBC detection products are subject to a number of additional risks, including lengthy product development and contract negotiation periods and certain risks inherent in long-term government contracts.

Our NBC detection products are subject to many of the same risks associated with our life science products, including vulnerability to rapid technological change, dependence on mass spectrometry and other technologies and substantial competition. In addition, our NBC detection products are generally sold to government agencies under long-term contracts. These contracts generally involve lengthy pre-contract

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negotiations and product development. We may be required to devote substantial working capital and other resources prior to obtaining product orders. As a result, we may incur substantial costs before we potentially recognize revenue from these products. Moreover, in return for larger, longer-term contracts, our customers for these products often demand more stringent acceptance criteria. Their criteria may also cause delays in our ability to recognize revenue from sales of these products. Furthermore, we may not be able to accurately predict in advance our costs to fulfill our obligations under these long-term contracts. If we fail to accurately predict our costs, due to inflation or other factors, we could incur significant losses. Any single long-term contract for our NBC detection products may represent a material portion of our total business volume, and the loss of any such contract could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Failure to increase other business or to obtain additional government contracts  could cause our revenue to decline. Also, the presence or absence of such contracts may cause substantial variation in our results of operations between fiscal periods and, as a result, our results of operations for any given fiscal period may not be predictive of our results for subsequent fiscal periods. The resulting uncertainty may have an adverse impact on our stock price.

If general health care spending patterns decline, our ability to generate revenue may suffer.

We are dependent, both directly and indirectly, upon general health care spending patterns, particularly in the research and development budgets of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, as well as upon the financial condition of various governments and government agencies. Since our inception, both we and our academic collaborators and customers have benefited from various governmental contracts and research grants. Whether we or our academic collaborators will continue to be able to attract these grants depends not only on the quality of our products, but also on general spending patterns of public institutions. The proposed federal budget for fiscal year 2007 freezes spending for the National Institute of Health (NIH) at $28.6 billion. Such a freeze or a potential decrease in the level of governmental spending allocated to scientific and medical research which could substantially reduce or even eliminate our grants as well as decrease demand for our products from academic and medical research customers.

Any reduction in the capital resources or government funding of our customers could reduce our sales and impede our ability to generate revenue.

A significant portion of our sales are capital purchases by our customers. The spending policies of our customers could have a significant effect on the demand for our products. These policies are based on a wide variety of factors, including the resources available to make purchases, the spending priorities among various types of equipment, policies regarding spending during recessionary periods and changes in the political climate. Any changes in capital spending or changes in the capital budgets of our customers could significantly reduce demand for our products. The capital resources of our biotechnology and other corporate customers may be limited by the availability of equity or debt financing. Any significant decline in research and development expenditures by our life science customers could significantly decrease our sales. In addition, we make a substantial portion of our sales to non-profit and government entities which are dependent on government support for scientific research. Any decline in this support could decrease the ability of these customers to purchase our products.

We are subject to existing and potential additional regulation, which can impose burdens on our operations and narrow the markets for our products.

We are subject, both directly and indirectly, to the adverse impact of existing and potential future government regulation of our operations and markets. For example, exportation of our products, particularly our NBC detection products, is subject to strict regulatory control in a number of jurisdictions. The failure to satisfy export control criteria or obtain necessary clearances could delay or prevent shipment

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of products, which could adversely affect our revenues and profitability. Moreover, the life sciences industry, which is the market for our principal products, has historically been heavily regulated. There are, for example, laws in several jurisdictions restricting research in genetic engineering, which can operate to narrow our markets. Given the evolving nature of this industry, legislative bodies or regulatory authorities may adopt additional regulations that adversely affect our market opportunities. Additionally, if ethical and other concerns surrounding the use of genetic information, gene therapy or genetically modified organisms become widespread, we may have less demand for our products. Our business is also directly affected by a wide variety of government regulations applicable to business enterprises generally and to companies operating in the life sciences industry in particular. Failure to comply with these regulations or obtain or maintain necessary permits and licenses could result in a variety of fines or other censures or an interruption in our business operations which may have a negative impact on our ability to generate revenues. In addition, our compliance with existing regulations, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, may have a material adverse impact on us. Under Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley, we are required to evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting. Compliance with this legislation may divert management’s attention and resources and cause us to incur significant expense.

If we fail to maintain effective systems of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results. As a result, current and potential stockholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our stock.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports, our business and operating results could be harmed. We have in the past discovered, and may in the future discover, areas of our internal controls that need improvement. For example, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2004, we identified and disclosed material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting at one significant subsidiary whose operations and financial condition are significant to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In response to these material weaknesses identified, we have taken steps to strengthen our internal controls over financial reporting at this significant subsidiary. These steps have included the following:

·       We evaluated and continue to evaluate the roles and functions within the significant subsidiary’s accounting department and added additional resources to support the controls surrounding inventory valuation and the financial statement close process. Temporary staff had been used to perform additional procedures while management evaluated resources and systems and permanent resources were in place by the end of the third quarter of 2005. Management believes that these additional resources together with the existing accounting staff will enable proper financial reporting.

·       In addition to augmenting the Company’s accounting personnel, management determined it was necessary to automate and establish certain preventative controls through the implementation of a fully integrated Materials Resource Planning (MRP) system. Management selected an MRP system during the third quarter of 2005, and expects the implementation to be completed during the second quarter of 2006.

Management believes that the above measures, when fully implemented, will address the material weaknesses described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2004, in the near and long-term. The material weaknesses identified and disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 have been remediated in 2005 (See Item 9A., Controls and Procedures). The Audit Committee and management will continue to monitor the effectiveness of our internal controls and procedures on an ongoing basis and will take further action, as appropriate.

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As part of our ongoing monitoring of internal control we may discover material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control as defined under standards adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, that require remediation. Under the PCAOB standards, a “material weakness” is a significant deficiency or combination of significant deficiencies that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. A “significant deficiency” is a control deficiency or combination of control deficiencies, that adversely affect a company’s ability to initiate, authorize, record, process, or report external financial data reliably in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles such that there is a more than remote likelihood that a misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements that is more than inconsequential will not be prevented or detected.

Management has concluded, and our independent registered public accounting firm has attested, that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control—Integrated Framework. Any failure to maintain improvements in the internal control over our financial reporting could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. As a result, current and potential investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative impact on the trading price of our stock.

Our success depends on our ability to operate without infringing or misappropriating the proprietary rights of others.

Our commercial success depends on avoiding the infringement of other parties’ patents and proprietary rights as well as avoiding the breach of any licenses relating to our technologies and products. Given that there may be patents of which we are unaware, particularly in the U.S. where patent applications are confidential, avoidance of patent infringement may be difficult. Various third-parties hold patents which may relate to our technology, and we may be found in the future to infringe these or other patents or proprietary rights of third parties, either with products we are currently marketing or developing or with new products which we may develop in the future. If a third party holding rights under a patent successfully asserts an infringement claim with respect to any of our current or future products, we may be prevented from manufacturing or marketing our infringing product in the country or countries covered by the patent we infringe, unless we can obtain a license from the patent holder. We may not be able to obtain a license on commercially reasonable terms, if at all, especially if the patent holder is a competitor. In addition, even if we can obtain a license, it may be non-exclusive, which will permit others to practice the same technology licensed to us. We also may be required to pay substantial damages to the patent holder in the event of an infringement. Under some circumstances in the U.S., these damages could include damages equal to triple the actual damages the patent holder incurs. If we have supplied infringing products to third parties for marketing by them or licensed third parties to manufacture, use or market infringing products, we may be obligated to indemnify these third parties for any damages they may be required to pay to the patent holder and for any losses the third parties may sustain themselves as the result of lost sales or license payments they are required to make to the patent holder. Any successful infringement action brought against us may also adversely affect marketing of the infringing product in other markets not covered by the infringement action, as well as our marketing of other products based on similar technology. Furthermore, we will suffer adverse consequences from a successful infringement action against us even if the action is subsequently reversed on appeal, nullified through another action or resolved by settlement with the patent holder. The damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may be significant. As a result, any successful infringement action against us may harm our business.

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If we are unable to effectively protect our intellectual property, third parties may use our technology, which would impair our ability to compete in our markets.

Our continued success will depend in significant part on our ability to obtain and maintain meaningful patent protection for our products throughout the world. We rely on patents to protect a significant part of our intellectual property and to enhance our competitive position. However, our presently pending or future patent applications may not issue as patents, and any patent previously issued to us may be challenged, invalidated, held unenforceable or circumvented. Furthermore, the claims in patents which have been issued, or which may be issued to us in the future, may not be sufficiently broad to prevent third parties from producing competing products similar to our products. In addition, the laws of various foreign countries in which we compete may not protect our intellectual property to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. Failure to obtain adequate patent protection for our proprietary technology could materially impair our ability to be commercially competitive.

In addition to patent protection, we also rely on the protection of trade secrets, know-how and confidential and proprietary information. To maintain the confidentiality of trade secrets and proprietary information, we generally seek to enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and strategic partners upon the commencement of a relationship with us. However, we may not obtain these agreements in all circumstances. In the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of this information, these agreements, even if obtained, may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets or other confidential information. In addition, adequate remedies may not exist in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of this information. The loss or exposure of our trade secrets and other proprietary information would impair our competitive advantages and could have a material adverse affect on our operating results, financial condition and future growth prospects. Furthermore, others may have, or may in the future independently develop, substantially similar or superior know-how and technology.

We may be involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents that are brought by us which could be expensive and time consuming.

In order to protect or enforce our patent rights, we may initiate patent litigation against third parties, and we may be similarly sued by others. We may also become subject to interference proceedings conducted in the patent and trademark offices of various countries to determine the priority of inventions. The defense and prosecution, if necessary, of intellectual property suits, interference proceedings and related legal and administrative proceedings is costly and diverts our technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities. We may not prevail in any of these suits. An adverse determination of any litigation or defense proceedings could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and could put our patent applications at risk of not issuing.

Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. In addition, during the course of this kind of litigation, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments in the litigation. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

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We have agreed to share our name, portions of our intellectual property rights and distribution channels with other entities under common control which could result in the loss of our name and to lock in the price of products we may sell to these entities which may not be the best price available for these products.

We maintain a sharing agreement with 13 affiliated entities that requires us to share portions of our intellectual property as it existed on February 28, 2000 and our distribution channels with these affiliated companies and their affiliates. We also share the Bruker name with many of these affiliates. We could lose the right to use the Bruker name if (a) we declare bankruptcy, (b) we interfere with another party’s use of the name, (c) we take a material action which materially detracts from the goodwill associated with the name, or (d) we suffer a major loss of our reputation in our industry or marketplace. The loss of the Bruker name could result in a loss of goodwill, brand loyalty and sales of our products. In addition, we have agreed to maintain the price of some products purchased from and sold to these affiliates for a period of up to twelve years, subject to yearly adjustments equal to the increase in the Consumer Price Index.

Our manufacture and sale of products could lead to product liability claims for which we could have substantial liability.

The manufacture and sale of our products exposes us to product liability claims if any of our products cause injury or are found otherwise unsuitable during manufacturing, marketing, sale or customer use. In particular, if one of our NBC detection products malfunctions, this could lead to civilian or military casualties in a time of unrest, exposing us to increased potential for high-profile liability. If our NBC detection products malfunction by generating a false-positive to a potential threat, we could be exposed to liabilities associated with actions taken that otherwise would not have been required. A successful product liability claim brought against us in excess of, or outside the coverage of, our insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may not be able to maintain product liability insurance on acceptable terms, if at all, and insurance may not provide adequate coverage against potential liabilities.

Responding to claims relating to improper handling, storage or disposal of hazardous chemicals and radioactive and biological materials which we use could be time consuming and costly.

We use controlled hazardous and radioactive materials in our business and generate wastes that are regulated as hazardous wastes under United States federal, and Massachusetts, California and Wisconsin state, environmental and atomic energy regulatory laws and under equivalent provisions of law in those jurisdictions in which our research and manufacturing facilities are located. Our use of these substances and materials is subject to stringent, and periodically changing, regulation that can impose costly compliance obligations on us and have the potential to adversely affect our manufacturing activities. The risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials cannot be completely eliminated. If an accident with these substances occurs, we could be held liable for any damages that result, in addition to incurring clean-up costs and liabilities, which can be substantial. Additionally, an accident could damage our research and manufacturing facilities resulting in delays and increased costs.

We are dependent upon various key personnel and must recruit additional qualified personnel for a number of management positions.

Our success is highly dependent on the continued services of key management, particularly our chief executive officer, Frank H. Laukien Ph.D., as well as technical and scientific personnel. Our management and other employees may voluntarily terminate their employment with us at any time upon short notice. The loss of the services of any member of our senior management, technical or scientific staff may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of product development and other business objectives. Our future success will also depend on our ability to identify, recruit and retain additional qualified scientific, technical and managerial personnel. Competition for qualified personnel is intense, particularly in the

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areas of information technology, engineering and science, and the process of hiring suitably qualified personnel is often lengthy. If we are unable to hire and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees, our ability to conduct and expand our business could be seriously reduced.

Our chief executive officer maintains relationships with various affiliates which may impact his management of us.

Our chief executive officer, Frank H. Laukien, Ph.D., currently is, and has been for over 10 years, a management officer and director of certain of our affiliates and spends a considerable amount of time rendering services to these affiliates. Although Dr. Laukien spends the majority of his time attending to our business, his involvement with these affiliates reduces the time and attention he can devote to our management. Dr. Laukien beneficially owns directly or indirectly more than 10% of our stock and more than 10% of the stock of several affiliated companies. We collaborate with some of these affiliates in product development, and a portion of our customer base also does business with these affiliates. We believe that all agreements with our affiliates are at arm’s length commercial conditions and pricing. However, Dr. Laukien’s relationship with and to these affiliated companies could create an actual or perceived conflict of interest which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

We may not be able to maintain our sales and service staff to meet demand for our products and services.

We need to expand our direct marketing and sales force as well as our service and support staff. Our future revenue and profitability will depend in part on our ability to maintain our team of marketing and service personnel. Because our products are technical in nature, we believe that our marketing, sales and support staff must have scientific or technical expertise and experience. Competition for employees with these skills is intense. We may not be able to continue to attract and retain sufficient qualified sales and service people, and we may not be able to maintain and develop an efficient and effective sales, marketing and support department. If we fail to continue to attract or retain qualified people, then our business could suffer.

We plan significant growth, and there is a risk that we will not be able to manage this growth.

Our success will depend on the expansion of our operations. Effective growth management will place increased demands on our management, operational and financial resources. To manage our growth, we must expand our facilities, augment our operational, financial and management systems, and hire and train additional qualified personnel. Our failure to manage this growth effectively could impair our ability to generate revenue or could cause our expenses to increase more rapidly than revenue, resulting in operating losses.

We derive a significant portion of our revenue from international sales and are subject to the risks of doing business in foreign countries.

International sales account and are expected to continue to account for a significant portion of our total revenues. Our international operations are, and will continue to be, subject to a variety of risks associated with conducting business internationally, many of which are beyond our control. These risks, which may adversely affect our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and our ability to sell our products internationally, include:

·       changes in foreign currency exchange rates;

·       changes in regulatory requirements;

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·       legislation and regulation, including tariffs, relating to the import or export of high technology products;

·       the imposition of government controls;

·       political and economic instability, including international hostilities, acts of terrorism and governmental restrictions, inflation, trade relationships and military and political alliances;

·       costs and risks of deploying systems in foreign countries;

·       compliance with export laws and controls in multiple jurisdictions

·       limited intellectual property rights; and

·       the burden of complying with a wide variety of complex foreign laws and treaties, including unfavorable labor regulations, specifically those applicable to our European operations, as well as U.S. laws affecting the activities of U.S companies abroad.

While the impact of these factors is difficult to predict, any one or more of these factors could adversely affect our operations in the future.

We may lose money when we exchange foreign currency received from international sales into U.S. dollars.

A significant portion of our business is conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, which is our reporting currency. As a result, currency fluctuations among the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which we do business have caused and will continue to cause foreign currency transaction gains and losses. We recognize foreign currency gains or losses arising from our operations in the period incurred. In addition, currency fluctuations could cause the price of our products to be more or less competitive than our principal competitors’ products. Currency fluctuations will increase or decrease our cost structure relative to those of our competitors which could lessen the demand for our products and affect our competitive position. We cannot predict the effects of exchange rate fluctuations upon our future operating results because of the number of currencies involved, the variability of currency exposures and the potential volatility of currency exchange rates.

Various international tax risks could adversely affect our earnings.

We are subject to international tax risks. Distributions of earnings and other payments received from our subsidiaries may be subject to withholding taxes imposed by the countries where they are operating or are formed. If these foreign countries do not have income tax treaties with the United States or the countries where our subsidiaries are incorporated, we could be subject to high rates of withholding taxes on these distributions and payments. We could also be subject to being taxed twice on income related to operations in these non-treaty countries. Because we are unable to reduce the taxable income of one operating company with losses incurred by another operating company located in another country, we may have a higher foreign effective income tax rate than that of other companies in our industry. The amount of the credit that we may claim against our United States federal income tax for foreign income taxes is subject to many limitations which may significantly restrict our ability to claim a credit for all of the foreign taxes we pay.

Armed hostilities could constrain our ability to conduct business internationally and could also disrupt our United States operations.

The current world unrest, or the responses of the United States, may lead to further acts of terrorism and civil disturbances in the United States or elsewhere, which may further contribute to the economic instability in the United States. These attacks or armed conflicts may affect our physical facilities or those of our suppliers or customers and could have an impact on our domestic and international sales, our supply

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chain, our production capability, our insurance premiums or the ability to purchase insurance and our ability to deliver our products to our customers. The consequences of these risks are unpredictable, and their long-term effect upon us is uncertain.

The unpredictability and fluctuation of our quarterly results may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

Our revenues and results of operations have in the past and may in the future vary from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control and any of which may cause our stock price to fluctuate. The primary factors that may affect us include the following:

·       the timing of sales of our products and services;

·       the timing of recognizing revenue and deferred revenue under U.S. GAAP;

·       changes in our pricing policies or the pricing policies of our competitors;

·       increases in sales and marketing, product development or administration expenses;

·       the mix of services provided by us and third-party contractors;

·       our ability to attain and maintain quality levels for our products; and

·       costs related to acquisitions of technology or businesses.

Historically, we have experienced a decrease in revenue in the first quarter of each fiscal year relative to the prior fourth quarter, which we believe is due to our customers’ budgeting cycles. We also traditionally experience lower revenues in the third quarter than throughout the rest of the year as a result of the European holiday schedule. You should not rely on quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our results of operations as an indication of our future performance. It is likely that in some future quarters, our results of operations may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. In this event, the price of our common stock may fall.

We face potential volatility of our stock price.

There has only been a public market for our common stock since August 2000. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

·       quarterly fluctuations in results of operations, as described above;

·       our ability to successfully commercialize our products;

·       technological innovations or new commercial products by us or our competitors;

·       developments concerning government regulations or proprietary rights which could affect the potential growth of our markets;

·       material changes in our relationships with, or the viability of, strategic business partners;

·       market reaction to trends in revenues and expenses, especially research and development;

·       changes in earnings estimates by analysts;

·       volatility and uncertainty in the capital markets in general;

·       loss of key personnel;

·       changes in accounting principles;

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·       lack of trading volume in our stock;

·       fluctuation within the life science sector;

·       sales of common stock by existing stockholders, particularly large institutional investors who cannot hold stock traded at less than $5 per share; and

·       economic and political conditions.

The market price for our common stock may also be affected by our ability to meet analysts’ expectations. Any failure to meet such expectations, even slightly, could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. In addition, the stock market, the NASDAQ National Market and the market for life science stocks in particular, has been and is subject to extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market prices of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to the operating performance of these companies. In the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their securities have been the subjects of securities class action litigation. Any such litigation instigated against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of managements’ attention and resources, which could significantly harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

Future sales of our stock may impact its market price.

Sales of substantial numbers of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that significant sales are likely, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. We cannot predict the effect that market sales of a large number of shares would have on the market price of our common stock.

Existing stockholders have significant influence over us.

As of March 1, 2006, our majority stockholders owned, in the aggregate, approximately 59% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these stockholders will be able to exercise substantial influence over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. This could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company and will make some transactions difficult or impossible to accomplish without the support of these stockholders.

Other companies may have difficulty acquiring us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders, due to provisions under our corporate charter and bylaws, as well as Delaware law.

Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, as well as Delaware law could make it more difficult for other companies to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain the following provisions, among others, which may inhibit an acquisition of our company by a third party:

·       a staggered board of directors, where stockholders elect only a minority of the board each year;

·       advance notification procedures for matters to be brought before stockholder meetings;

·       a limitation on who may call stockholder meetings; and

·       the ability of our board of directors to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock without a stockholder vote.

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ITEM 1B.       UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

The Company has not received any written comments from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the Company’s periodic or current reports that (1) the Company believes are material, (2) were issued not less than 180 days before the end of the Company’s 2005 fiscal year, and (3) remain unresolved.

ITEM 2.                PROPERTIES

The location and general character of our principal properties by reportable segment as of December 31, 2005 are as follows:

Bruker Daltonics

Bruker Daltonics’ three principal facilities are located in Billerica, Massachusetts USA, Bremen, Germany and Leipzig, Germany. These facilities, which incorporate manufacturing, research and development, application and demonstration, marketing and sales and administration functions for the mass spectrometry and NBC detection businesses of Bruker Daltonics, include:

·       an owned 90,000 square foot facility in Billerica, Massachusetts;

·       an owned 180,000 square foot facility in Bremen, Germany; and

·       an owned 60,000 square foot facility in Leipzig, Germany.

We lease additional centers for sales, applications and service support in Fremont, California; Coventry, United Kingdom (Bruker Daltonics Ltd.); Wissembourg, France (Bruker Daltonique S.A.); Stockholm, Sweden (Bruker Daltonics Scandinavia A.B.); Faellanden, Switzerland (Bruker Daltonics GmbH); Yokohama, Japan (Bruker Daltonics K.K.); Beijing, People’s Republic of China; Taipei, Taiwan; Ontario, Canada (Bruker Daltonics Ltd.); Milan, Italy (Bruker Daltonics Italiana SRL); Alexandria, Australia (Bruker Daltonics Pty Ltd.); Singapore (Bruker Daltonics Pte LTD); Bruxelles, Belgium (Bruker Daltonics NV); Seoul, South Korea (Bruker Daltonics Korea Co. Ltd.); and Wormer, Netherlands (Bruker Daltonics BV).

Bruker AXS

Bruker AXS’ four principal facilities are in Karlsruhe and Berlin, Germany, Madison, WI, USA, and Yokohama, Japan. These facilities, which incorporate manufacturing, research and development, application and demonstration, marketing and sales and administration functions for the analytical X-ray business of Bruker AXS, include:

·       an owned 97,000 square foot facility in Karlsruhe, Germany;

·       an owned 43,000 square foot facility in Madison, WI, USA;

·       a leased 16,000 square foot facility in Berlin, Germany; and

·       a leased 15,000 square foot facility in Yokohama, Japan.

We lease additional centers for sales, applications and service support in: Delft, The Netherlands (Bruker AXS BV); Coventry, United Kingdom (Bruker AXS Ltd.); Paris, France (Bruker AXS SA); Salzburg, Austria (Bruker Austria GmbH); Milano, Italy (Bruker AXS S.r.L.); Johannesburg, South Africa (Bruker (Pty) Ltd.); São Paulo, Brazil (Bruker do Brasil Ltda.); Singapore (Bruker AXS Pte Ltd.); and Beijing, People’s Republic of China (Bruker AXS Representative Office).

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ITEM 3.                LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We may, from time to time, be involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. We are not currently involved in any pending legal proceedings that, either individually or taken as a whole, are reasonably likely in our judgment to materially harm our business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition.

ITEM 4.                SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

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PART II

ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Prices

Our common stock has been traded on the Nasdaq National Market since August 4, 2000, the date that our common stock was first offered to the public. Prior to that time, there was no public market for our common stock. Prior to our merger with Bruker AXS Inc., our common stock traded under the symbol “BDAL.” Since the consummation of the merger on July 1, 2003, our common stock has traded under the symbol “BRKR.” The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, the high and low sale prices for our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market:

 

 

As of March 10, 2006, there were approximately 97 holders of record of our common stock. This number does not include the individual beneficial owners of shares held in nominee name or within clearinghouse positions of brokerage firms and banks. The Nasdaq official close price per share of our common stock on March 10, 2006, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market, was $4.66.

Dividends

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently anticipate that we will retain all available funds for use in our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The terms of certain of our outstanding indebtedness prohibit us from paying cash dividends.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. We previously reported sales of unregistered Company common stock during the 2005 fiscal year in our Current Reports on Form 8-K. The foregoing sales were exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof, on the basis that the transactions did not involve a public offering.

Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities

On April 28, 2004, the Company and a group of selling stockholders completed a public offering of 17,250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, pursuant to our registration statement on Form S-3, registration number 333-113774, which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 23, 2004. 3,450,000 shares were sold by the Company and 13,800,000 shares were sold by four selling stockholders, at $4.50 per share. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting the foregoing expenses, were approximately $14.4 million to the Company and approximately $58.2 million to the selling

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stockholders, in the aggregate. The Company has used the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes.

On August 3, 2000, our registration statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-34820) was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pursuant to the registration statement, we offered and sold 9,200,000 shares of our common stock at an initial public offering price of $13 per share, generating gross offering proceeds of approximately $119.6 million. The managing underwriters were UBS Warburg LLC, CIBC World Markets and Thomas Weisel Partners LLC. In connection with the offering, we incurred $8.4 million in underwriting discounts and commissions, and approximately $1.5 million in other related expenses. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting the foregoing expenses, were approximately $110.0 million. No payments or expenses were paid to directors, officers or affiliates of the Company or 10% owners of any class of equity securities of the Company. We used a portion of the net proceeds of the offering to fund our research and development activities, for working capital purposes, facility expansions and other general corporate purposes. Additionally, we used approximately $7.0 million of the net proceeds to pay off a portion of our outstanding bank debt. The balance was invested in a variety of interest-bearing instruments including investment-grade corporate bonds, commercial paper and money market accounts.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table sets forth all purchases made by or on behalf of the Company or any “affiliated purchaser,” as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act, of shares of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2005.

(1)          All activity relates to shares purchased through the exercise of stock options by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and were previously disclosed by the affiliated purchaser on Form 4.

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ITEM 6.                SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

On July 1, 2003, we merged with Bruker AXS, a company under common control, and we were the surviving corporation in that merger. We then formed two operating subsidiaries, Bruker Daltonics and Bruker AXS, into which we transferred substantially all of the assets and liabilities, except cash, which formerly belonged to us and Bruker AXS. See Note 3 to the audited financial statements included elsewhere in this report. The consolidated statements of operations data for each of the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 have been derived from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this report. The combined statement of operations data and combined balance sheet data for all other periods presented has been derived by combining amounts from Bruker Daltonics and Bruker AXS’ historical audited financial statements included in each company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results.

The data presented below has been derived from financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and should be read with the consolidated and combined financial statements and schedules, including the notes, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this report.

 

During 2004, the Company recorded charges of $2.3 million to write-off investments in other companies. During 2003, the Company recorded special charges of $11.7 million in connection with the merger with Bruker AXS. During 2002, the Company recorded a $10.9 million charge due to the write-down of investments in other companies.

 

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ITEM 7.                MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (MD&A) describes the principal factors affecting the results of our operations, financial condition, and changes in financial condition, as well as our critical accounting policies and estimates. MD&A is organized as follows:

·       Executive overview.   This section provides a general description and history of our business, a brief discussion of our reportable segments, significant recent developments in our business and other opportunities, challenges and risks that may impact our business in the future.

·       Critical accounting policies and estimates.   This section discusses the accounting estimates that are considered important to our financial condition and results of operations and require us to exercise subjective or complex judgments in their application. All of our significant accounting policies, including our critical accounting policies and estimates, are summarized in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this report.

·       Results of operations.   This section provides our analysis of the significant line items on our consolidated statement of operations for the years ended December 31, 2005 compared to 2004 and for the years ended December 31, 2004 compared to 2003.

·       Liquidity and capital resources.   This section provides an analysis of our liquidity and cash flow and a discussion of our outstanding debt and commitments.

·       Transactions with related parties.   This section summarizes transactions with affiliates through common shareholders which also use the Bruker name.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Bruker BioSciences Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries design, manufacture, market and service proprietary life science systems based on mass spectrometry core technology platforms and X-ray technologies. We also manufacture and distribute a broad range of field analytical systems for nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) detection. We report financial results on the basis of two reportable segments: Bruker Daltonics and Bruker AXS. Bruker Daltonics is a leading manufacturer of innovative mass spectrometry-based instruments and accessories used by pharmaceutical, biotechnology, proteomics and molecular diagnostics companies, academic institutions, and government agencies in their research that can also be integrated and used along with other analytical instruments. Bruker Daltonics also manufactures and distributes a broad range of field analytical systems for NBC detection. Bruker AXS primarily engages in the business of manufacturing and distributing advanced instrumentation and automated solutions based on X-ray technology with the purpose of addressing the needs of our customers in the discovery of new drugs, drug targets and advanced materials, as well as industrial QA/QC applications. Typical customers of Bruker AXS’ products and solutions include biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, semiconductor industries, chemical, cement and petroleum companies, raw material manufacturers, and academic and government research institutions.

We maintain major technical centers in Europe, North America and Japan, have sales offices located throughout the world and our corporate headquarters is located in Billerica, Massachusetts. Our diverse customer base includes, among others, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions, semiconductor industries and government agencies. Our business strategy is to capitalize on our proven ability to innovate and generate rapid revenue growth, both organically and through acquisitions. We believe our commitment to be an even more significant leader within the markets we serve should enable us to maintain above industry-standard revenue growth rates. These above industry-standard growth rates combined with continued improvements to our gross profit margins and increased

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leverage on our research and development, sales and marketing and distribution investments and general and administrative expenses, are expected to enhance our operating margins and improve our earnings in the future.

In 2005, our revenues grew by approximately 5% to $297.6 million from $284.4 million in 2004, compared to 9% revenue growth in 2004. While our actual growth rate in 2005 was not in-line with our expectations, this was due to demand from certain of our pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers being lower than historical levels and expectations in 2005, but was partially offset by healthy demand for our products and solutions from other industrial customers, as well as our academic, medical research and government agency customers. During 2005, our commitment to reach profitability was achieved through improved gross profit margins from 41.2% to 41.9% and reduced operating expenses as a percentage of revenue decreasing from 42.0% in 2004 to 38.7% in 2005. These improvements resulted in net income of $3.6 million in 2005, compared to a net loss of $7.8 million in 2004. We also generated strong cash flows from operations in 2005 of approximately $42 million compared to a use of cash from operations of approximately $1 million in 2004, and this was achieved through improved earnings and an increased focus on balance sheet management resulting in significant reductions in inventory and increases in customer deposits.

We believe our continued investments in research and development efforts, incremental sales and marketing efforts and global manufacturing, distribution and logistics networks will contribute to our top and bottom-line growth going forward. To achieve our business goal of maintaining above industry-standard growth, we have also completed several acquisitions which provide us with products and solutions which complement our existing technologies and expand the market segments available to us. Most recently, in November 2005, we acquired Roentec AG (Roentec), an X-ray microanalysis instrumentation company based in Berlin, Germany and the X-ray microanalysis business of Princeton Gamma-Tech Instruments, Inc. (PGT), a company located in Rocky Hill, New Jersey. Roentec and PGT together now comprise our new Bruker AXS microanalysis group with products that analyze the chemical composition of materials under investigation in electron microscopes. These systems are used for a wide range of applications including nanotechnology and advanced materials research, as well as materials analysis and quality control and typical customers include industrial customers, academia and government research facilities.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventories, goodwill, long-lived assets, warranty costs, income taxes, contingencies, and restructuring. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience, current market and economic conditions, our observance of industry trends and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable and form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

We believe the following critical accounting policies to be both those most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and those that require the most subjective judgment.

·       Revenue recognition. We recognize revenue from system sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, title and risk of loss has been transferred to

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the customer and collectibility of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Title and risk of loss is generally transferred to the customer upon receipt of a signed customer acceptance form for a system that has been shipped, installed, and for which the customer has been trained. As a result, the timing of customer acceptance or readiness could cause our reported revenues to differ materially from expectations. When products are sold through an independent distributor, a strategic distribution partner or an unconsolidated affiliated distributor, which assumes responsibility for installation, we recognize the system sale when the product has been shipped and title and risk of loss has been transferred. Our distributors do not have price protection rights or rights to return; however, our products are warranted to be free from defect for a period of one year. Revenue is deferred until cash is received when a significant portion of the fee is due over one year after delivery, installation and acceptance of a system. For arrangements with multiple elements, we recognize revenue for each element based on the fair value of the element provided all other criteria for revenue recognition have been met. The fair value for each element provided in multiple element arrangements is typically determined by referencing historical pricing policies when the element is sold separately. Changes in our ability to establish the fair value for each element in multiple element arrangements could affect the timing of revenue recognition. Revenue from accessories and parts is recognized upon shipment and service revenue is recognized as the services are performed.

·       Warranty costs. We normally provide a one-year parts and labor warranty with the purchase of equipment. The anticipated cost for this one-year warranty is accrued upon recognition of the sale and is included as a current liability on the balance sheet. Although our facilities undergo quality assurance and testing procedures throughout the production process, our warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, material usage and service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. Although our actual warranty costs have historically been consistent with expectations, to the extent warranty claim activity or costs associated with servicing those claims differ from our estimates, revisions to the warranty accrual may be required.

·       Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined by the first-in, first-out method. We maintain an allowance for excess and obsolete inventory to reflect the expected un-saleable or un-refundable inventory based on an evaluation of slow moving products. If ultimate usage or demand varies significantly from expected usage or demand, additional write-downs may be required, resulting in a charge to operations.

·       Goodwill, other intangible assets, investments in other companies, and other long-lived assets. We perform an evaluation of whether goodwill is impaired annually or when events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Fair value is determined using market comparables for similar businesses or forecasts of discounted future cash flows. We also review other intangible assets, investments in other companies, and other long-lived assets when indication of potential impairment exists, such as a significant reduction in cash flows associated with the assets. Should the fair value of our long-lived assets decline because of reduced operating performance, market declines, or other indicators of impairment, a charge to operations for impairment may be necessary.

·       Allowance for doubtful accounts. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to pay amounts due. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, reducing their ability to make payments, additional allowances would be required, resulting in a charge to operations.

·       Income taxes. We estimate the degree to which tax assets and loss carryforwards will result in a benefit based on expected profitability by tax jurisdiction, and provide a valuation allowance for tax

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assets and loss carryforwards that we believe will more likely than not go unused. If it becomes more likely than not that a tax asset or loss carryforward will be used for which a reserve has been provided, we reverse the related valuation allowance. If our actual future taxable income by tax jurisdiction differ from estimates, additional allowances or reversals of reserves may be necessary.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2004

Revenue

The following table presents revenue, change in revenue and revenue growth by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 (dollars in thousands):

(a)           represents product and service revenues between reportable segments.

Bruker Daltonics

Bruker Daltonics’ revenue increased by $8.8 million, or 5.7%, to $161.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to $152.6 million for the comparable period in 2004 and the impact of foreign exchange was not material. The increase in revenue is a result of increased demand for our NBC detection systems and increased demand for life sciences systems  from certain industrial customers, as well as our academic, medical research and government agency customers, partially offset by a decrease in demand from some of our pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers and by overall pricing pressures due to increased competition. Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 include grant revenues from various projects for early-stage research and development projects funded by the German government. Life science systems, NBC detection systems and aftermarket revenue as a percentage of Bruker Daltonics’ product and service revenue were as follows during the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 (dollars in thousands):

 

Bruker AXS

Bruker AXS’ revenue increased by $4.7 million, or 3.6%, to $137.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to $132.6 million for the comparable period in 2004 and the impact of foreign exchange was not material. The increase in revenue is attributable to growth in our XRD materials

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research systems and other systems revenue, partially offset by declines in SCD life science and XRF elemental composition systems revenue. Other system revenue relates primarily to the distribution of products not manufactured by Bruker AXS. X-ray systems, other systems and aftermarket revenue as a percentage of Bruker AXS’ product and service revenue were as follows during the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 (dollars in thousands):

 

Cost of Revenue

The following table presents cost of product and service revenue and gross profit margins on product and service revenue by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 (dollars in thousands):

(b)          represents the cost of products and services between reportable segments.

Bruker Daltonics’ cost of product and service revenue for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $88.9 million, or a gross profit margin of 44.2%, compared to cost of product and service revenue of $83.9 million, or a gross profit margin of 44.2% for the comparable period in 2004. The consistent margins year-over-year are a result of an increase in the sales volume of high-margin NBC detection systems, various ongoing gross profit margin improvement programs and better capacity utilization as a result of increased revenues year-over-year, offset by pricing pressures on our life science systems due to increased competition and additional inventory reserves required in 2005.

Bruker AXS’ cost of product and service revenue for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $83.8 million, or a gross profit margin of 39.0%, compared to cost of product and service revenue of $82.8 million, or a gross profit margin of 37.6% for the comparable period in 2004. The increase in gross profit margins is primarily attributable to various ongoing gross profit margin improvement programs and reduced warranty expenses as quality improvement initiatives impact certain products introduced during 2004 and 2005, partially offset by the lower margins derived from other system revenues, which increased in 2005 compared to 2004, and additional reserves required for excess service inventories during 2005.

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Sales and Marketing

The following table presents sales and marketing expense and sales and marketing expense as a percentage of product and service revenue by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 (dollars in thousands):

 

Bruker Daltonics’ sales and marketing expense for the year ended December 31, 2005 decreased to $23.8 million, or 15.0% of product and service revenue, from $27.0 million, or 18.0% of product and service revenue for the comparable period in 2004. The decrease in sales and marketing expense is primarily attributable to increased revenue during the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to the comparable period in 2004, and to benefits realized from cost control initiatives implemented late in 2004, partially offset by increased commissions on higher revenues year-over-year.

Bruker AXS’ sales and marketing expense for year ended December 31, 2005 decreased to $27.6 million, or 20.1% of product and service revenue, from $29.0 million, or 21.8% of product and service revenue for the comparable period in 2004. The decrease in sales and marketing expense is primarily attributable to increased revenue during the year ended December 31, 2005 as compared to the comparable period in 2004, and to benefits realized from cost control initiatives implemented late in 2004, partially offset by increased commissions on higher revenues year-over-year.

General and Administrative

The following table presents general and administrative expense and general and administrative expense as a percentage of product and service revenue by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 (dollars in thousands):

 

Bruker Daltonics’ general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased to $8.9 million, or 5.6% of product and service revenue, from $7.5 million, or 5.0% of product and service revenue for the comparable period in 2004. The increase in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to increased professional service fees associated with audit and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, and an increase in bad debt reserves during the year ended December 31, 2005.

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Bruker AXS’ general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased to $10.8 million, or 7.9% of product and service revenue, from $9.4 million, or 7.1% of product and service revenue for the comparable period in 2004. The increase in general and administrative expenses is primarily attributable to increased professional service fees associated with audit and Sarbanes-Oxley requirements, partially offset by cost control initiatives implemented late in 2004.

Corporate general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2005 decreased to $2.7 million from $3.4 million for the comparable period in 2004. Corporate general and administrative expenses represent expenses associated with being a public company not allocated to our reportable segments, including legal fees, audit and consulting fees, salaries and filing fees. The decrease in expenses is primarily attributable to certain salaries and accounting, audit and consulting fees classified as corporate expenses during the year ended December 31, 2004 now being allocated to our reportable segments.

Research and Development

The following table presents research and development expense and research and development expense as a percentage of product and service revenue by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 (dollars in thousands):

 

Bruker Daltonics’ research and development expense for the year ended December 31, 2005 decreased to $27.3 million, or 17.1% of product and service revenue, from $30.1 million, or 20.0% of product and service revenue for the comparable period in 2004. The decrease in research and development expenses is primarily attributable to benefits realized from cost control initiatives implemented late in 2004 and a decrease in material purchases during the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to the comparable period in 2004.

Bruker AXS’ research and development expense for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased to $14.1 million, or 10.3% of product and service revenue, from $13.2 million, or 9.9% of product and service revenue for the comparable period in 2004. The increase in research and development expense is primarily related to the purchase of materials associated with completing a prototype for a potential new product expected to be introduced within the next year, partially offset by increased revenue during the year ended December 31, 2005 compared to the comparable period in 2004.

Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net

Interest and other income (expense), net, during the year ended December 31, 2005 was $1.3 million compared to ($3.8) million during the comparable period in 2004.  During the year ended December 31, 2005, the major components within interest and other income (expense), net, were net interest income of $0.8 million and gains on foreign currency transactions of $0.2 million. During the year ended December 31, 2004, the major components within interest and other income (expense), net were the write-off investments in the amount of ($2.3) million, losses on foreign currency transactions of ($0.8) million and net interest expense of ($0.6) million.

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Provision for Income Taxes

The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $8.3 million compared to an income tax provision of $2.9 million for the comparable period in 2004. During the year ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Company’s effective tax rate was approximately 69% and (59%), respectively, and reflects our tax provision for non-U.S. entities only, since no benefit was recognized for losses incurred in the U.S. We will maintain a full valuation allowance for our U.S. net operating losses until such evidence exists that it is more likely than not that the loss carry-forward amounts will be utilized to offset U.S. taxable income. Our tax rate may change over time as the amount or mix of income and taxes outside the U.S. changes. Our effective tax rate is calculated using our projected annual pre-tax income or loss and is affected by research and development tax credits, the expected level of other tax benefits, the impact of changes to the valuation allowance as well as changes in the mix of our pre-tax income and losses among jurisdictions with varying statutory tax rates and credits.

Minority Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries

Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries for each of the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 was approximately $0.1 million. The minority interest in subsidiaries represents the minority shareholders’ proportionate share of net loss of these subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. For the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, the minority interest relates to our two majority-owned subsidiaries, Incoatec GmbH and Baltic Scientific Instruments Ltd.

Year Ended December 31, 2004 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2003

Revenue

The following table presents revenue, change in revenue and revenue growth by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

(a)           represents service revenues between reportable segments.

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Bruker Daltonics’ revenue increased by $5.8 million, or 4.0%, to $152.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to $146.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. Included in this change in revenue is approximately $10.3 million from the impact of foreign exchange. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange, revenue would have decreased by 2.9%. The decrease in revenue excluding the effect of foreign exchange is a result of increasing competition and pricing pressures, partially offset by an increase in life science units sold year-over-year and increased aftermarket revenues. Grant revenues were generated from various projects for early-stage research and development projects funded by the German and United States governments. Life science systems, NBC detection systems and aftermarket revenue as a percentage of Bruker Daltonics’ product and service revenue were as follows during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

 

Bruker AXS’ revenue increased by $18.7 million, or 16.4%, to $132.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2004 compared to $113.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. Included in this change in revenue is approximately $7.1 million from the impact of foreign exchange. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange, revenue would have increased by 10.2%. The increase of 10.2% in revenue excluding the effect of foreign exchange is driven by continued growth in our materials research and life science product lines, as the shipment and installation of new product introductions announced in early 2004 accelerated during the year, as well as continued strong aftermarket revenue. X-ray systems, other systems and aftermarket revenue as a percentage of Bruker AXS’ product and service revenue were as follows during the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

 

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Cost of Sales

The following table presents cost of product and service revenue and gross profit margins on product and service revenue by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

(b)          represents the cost of services between reportable segments.

Bruker Daltonics’ cost of product and service revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $83.9 million, or a gross profit margin of 44.2%, compared to $83.4 million, or a gross profit margin of 42.7% for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase in gross profit margins is primarily due to the completion of an unprofitable contract with the U.K. Ministry of Defense in the second half of 2004, partially offset by an increase in the write-down of demonstration inventories to net realizable value year-over-year.

Bruker AXS’ cost of product and service revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $82.8 million, or a gross profit margin of 37.6%, compared to $70.9 million, or a gross profit margin of 37.8% for the year ended December 31, 2003. The slight decrease in gross profit margins was due to certain manufacturing efficiencies realized during 2004 being offset by quality costs, including warranty expenses, associated with the new product introductions in 2004 and an increase in the write-down of demonstration inventories to net realizable value.

Sales and Marketing

The following table presents sales and marketing expense and sales and marketing expense as a percentage of product and service revenue by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in thousands):

 

Bruker Daltonics’ sales and marketing expense for the year ended December 31, 2004 increased to $27.0 million, or 18.0% of product and service revenue, from $25.7 million, or 17.7% of product and service revenue for the year ended December 31, 2003. The increase in sales and marketing expense is primarily attributable to investments in sales and marketing initiatives and lower than anticipated revenues in 2004.

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