Activist investor Elliott Investment Management has reportedly acquired a substantial stake in Bio-Rad Laboratories (BIO.US) with the aim of improving the performance of the life science instrument supplier's stock. The exact size of Elliott's holding in Bio-Rad Laboratories is not yet known. Bio-Rad currently holds a market capitalization of approximately $6.7 billion, and its share price has fallen more than 70% since reaching a peak in late 2021.

Sources indicate that Elliott is a significant investor in the German biopharmaceutical equipment supplier Sartorius. It is reported that Bio-Rad also holds an investment in Sartorius, valued at around $5 billion. According to reports, Elliott views Sartorius as a high-quality company with strong growth potential.

Following the announcement of a first-quarter net loss of $527 million, Bio-Rad revised downward its revenue growth guidance for 2026. The company attributed the weak performance to changes in the fair value of its investment in Sartorius. Bio-Rad's stock has declined about 18% year-to-date in 2026 and has plummeted 70% from the all-time high it reached during the pandemic in 2021.

The company previously benefited significantly from strong demand for COVID-19 testing products, but as the pandemic has subsided, this advantage has rapidly diminished, leaving the company struggling to find new avenues for growth.

Elliott, which manages approximately $80 billion in assets, has been actively investing in the healthcare sector. The firm recently also invested in Charles River Laboratories (CRL.US).