LAFAYETTE - Software firm Aegis Analytical Corp. in Lafayette was bought by publicly traded scientific software company Accelrys Inc. for $30 million in cash, the two companies said Tuesday, Oct. 23.

San Diego-based Accelrys (Nasdaq: ACCL) will keep key members of the Aegis management team and some of the company's 39 employees as part of the transaction, according to a press statement. Aegis chief executive Robert Di Scipio is expected to leave the company after an unspecified transition period, said Kelly Brandner, a company spokeswoman.

Aegis's location in Lafayette at 1380 Forest Park Circle, Suite 200, will remain open, but the company will take the Accelrys name sometime during the transition period, Brandner said.

Aegis makes software that biotechnology and pharmaceutical customer companies use to manage manufacturing, quality and product development data. Accelrys makes software that handles process management and compliance for customer companies in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in the oil and gas, food and beverage and semiconductor industries, among others.

In general, software made by both Aegis and Accelrys helps companies spot trends and forecast outcomes related to manufacturing. Such software also is used to help companies in regulated environments - especially biotechnology companies that must comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements - to meet regulations.

"The industries we serve are undergoing significant changes, requiring them to move from a status-quo approach to one that breaks down the barriers to operational excellence, innovation productivity and global competitiveness," Max Carnecchia, Accelrys president and chief executive, said in the statement.

Aegis has more than 15 years of experience in process development and manufacturing. Accelrys employs more than 200 scientists. Its software is used by more than 1,300 companies.

Accelrys company stock was trading at $8.75 at midday Wednesday, Oct. 24, 10 cents higher than Monday's closing price of $8.65 before the sale was announced. The stock has traded at a low of $6 and a high of $9.59 in the past year.