Planet buys allergen test-kit company

Planet Technologies Inc. is acquiring Antigen Laboratories Inc., a Liberty, Mo., company that sells test kits for a wide range of allergens, including pollens, dust, molds and food.

Ridgefield-based Planet is paying $10 million for Antigen, and anticipates costs of $10 million more to cover various Antigen liabilities and acquisition costs.

Planet sells air filters and bedding to remove or minimize allergens indoors via its Allergy Control Products Inc. subsidiary. The company lost $400,000 on $3.8 million in revenue in the first half of 2007. At last report, Planet had 25 full-time employees.

Following the Antigen deal”™s close, Planet plans to begin development of an allergenic extract administered via drops under the tongue, rather than more traditional injections.

Planet is in the process of transferring its state of incorporation to Delaware from California, where it was founded in 1991.