Previously known as DIFCO Laboratories Incorporated, the firm was originally a spinout of University of California San Diego. When fully functioning, Difco had manufacturing and research facilities in the United States in Colorado, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin, and outside the United States in England and Germany. In 1996 Difco sold their ESP blood culture business, to AccuMed International, Inc.. In 1997 the remaining parts of the firm was sold to Becton Dickinson and Company (NYSE: BDX).
