Bio-Rad Acquires GnuBIO
GnuBIO’s instrument will be used for targeted sequencing in the IVD market, with future versions for research possible, according to Brad Crutchfield, president of Bio-Rad Life Science. It is currently in the beta stage of development and is expected to be released in 18 months to two years. Its technology complements Bio-Rad’s Droplet Digital PCR technology (see IBO 12/15/10), allowing injection of reaction components for sequencing into the droplets, thereby expanding the capabilities of digital PCR. GnuBIO has about 55 employees.
Hercules, CA 4/10/14; Cambridge, MA 4/10/14—Bio-Rad Laboratories, a provider of products for clinical diagnostics and life science research, has acquired Cambridge, Massachusetts–based GnuBIO, for an undisclosed amount. GnuBIO is the developer of a low-cost, droplet-based, integrated sequencing system that delivers results in hours rather than days. The instrument handles target selection, amplification, sequencing and informatics on a chip. Bio-Rad President and CEO Norman Schwartz said, “We believe GnuBIO’s innovative DNA workflow is well-suited for the clinical diagnostics sequencing market and will leverage Bio-Rad’s leadership role in the area of droplet digital PCR.” As a result of the acquisition, Bio-Rad plans to further develop its Digital Biology Center, launching a location for R&D in Cambridge.
