Corning buys majority of Becton unit for $730M

Corning Inc., world’s largest maker of LCD glass, is buying a majority of Becton, Dickinson and Co.’s Discovery Labware division for about $730 million in order to bolster its life sciences offerings.

Corning’s life sciences unit develops, makes and supplies scientific laboratory products. The deal excludes Discovery’s advanced bioprocessing platform, medical technology company Becton, Dickinson said.

Shares of Corning gained 10 cents to $13.58 in premarket trading while Becton, Dickinson and Co.’s stock added 56 cents to $77.25.