Washington, DC 8/31/17—The US International Trade Commission (USITC) has announced that it has begun an investigation involving 10x Genomics’ microfluidic devices following a July complaint by Bio-Rad Laboratories and Lawrence Livermore National Security. The complaint concerns the import of certain devices that infringe the complainants’ patents. Bio-Rad and Lawrence Livermore are requesting a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order.

Also in July, Bio-Rad and Lawrence Livermore filed a patent infringement complaint against 10x Genomics in US District Court seeking damages for infringement of seven patents related to Bio-Rad’s Droplet Digital (ddPCR) technology and products for digital PCR by 10x’s Chromium drop-based emulsion system. According to the complaint, 10x Genomics was founded by former Bio-Rad employees. The complaint states, “On information and belief, the GemCode and Chromium products both utilized the same scientific principles to create emulsions in a microfluidics chip, and use the same type of microfluidic chips, both of which infringe the claims of the asserted patents. The plaintiffs are requesting injuctive relief, compensation and enhance damages.