U.K.-based health care company plans S.C. operations

Lab21, a United Kingdom-based health care products and services company, plans to establish operations in South Carolina.

The company announced it has received $3.2 million in private equity to continue its acquisition plan and establish U.S. operations here.

However, Lab21 is not giving specifics about its planned U.S. operations.

“The company will not reveal details of its acquisition plans and U.S. market strategy today but expects to complete on two European company acquisitions during (the first half of) next year,” Lab21 officials said in a news release.

One of the company’s new investors is Nexus Medical Partners, which has offices in Charleston and in Quincy, Mass. Another new investor is Rowan Dartington of the United Kingdom.

Lab21 is a provider of diagnostic products and services that support drug discovery and health care. Its customers include health care providers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.