Former Illumina PCR IP Sold
Illumina stopped selling the qPCR instrument and NuPCR assays last year (see IBO 10/31/13). Illlumina had entered the market through the purchase of Helixis (see IBO 7/31/10). A Bibby spokesperson told IBO that PCRmax has three employees and will be supported by Bibby’s infrastructure of over 200. She said the ECO is essentially the same as the Illumina instrument, and “the only difference is that PCRmax identified some component, software and build improvements to increase instrument stability.”
Staffordshire, UK 9/24/14—Laboratory-equipment provider Bibby Scientific has acquired 100% of the share capital of PCRmax. A UK-based sales and distributor company, PCRmax is also the registered owner of the intellectual property previously owned by Illumina with respect to the ECO QPCR instrument. “This acquisition underlines our determination to become a leading global player in the life science equipment arena through the offer of technologically leading products at prices affordable by scientists worldwide,” stated Bibby CEO Dr. James Heffernan. PCRmax will launch the ECO 48-well QPCR platform, with a further three instruments to be introduced over the next 12 months. A range of QPCR research kits and consumables will also be introduced.
