Interest in medical testing company Beckman Coulter (BEC.N) from strategic bidders is waning and a deadline for final bids is approaching in early February, several sources familiar with the situation said on Friday. Diversified industrial companies Danaher Corp (DHR.N) (DHR.N) remains in the auction, one source familiar with the matter said. It was unclear whether any other strategic firms remain interested, the sources said. Final-round bids for the company are due in early February, so the situation could still change over the next few weeks, the sources said. Beckman, which has a market capitalization of roughly $5 billion, hired Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N) to help it weigh strategic options, including a possible sale of the company, sources previously told Reuters last year.
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