Company Announcements

Under an agreement announced in July, LI-COR Biosciences agreed to license IRDye QC-1 quencher technology and provide cGMP custom manufacturing services to biotech firm Vergent Bioscience.

In October, NanoString Technologies, a provider of life science tools for translational research and molecular diagnostic products, announced that the University of Oxford has been selected as the winning recipient of a grant for a GeoM Digital Spatial Profiler (DSP) as part of the DSP grant program. The grant program included more than one hundred submissions from around the world.

NanoString Technologies entered into a translational research agreement in October to identify and develop biomarkers for MacroGenics’ MGD013 program.

In August, MBio Diagnostics, provider of the LightDeck planar waveguide technology, raised an additional $6 million in Series B financing in August, including its new strategic veterinary partner Heska.

In October, Fluidigm, a mass cytometry and microfluidics technology company, named Laura M. Clague to its Board. She is CFO of biopharmaceutical company Retrophin.

Product Introductions

In November, NanoString Technologies debuted the nCounter CAR-T Characterization Panel for the molecular characterization of CAR-T cells in research, development and manufacturing. This customizable, 780-gene expression panel incorporates content to measure eight essential components of CAR-T cell biology including T-cell activation, metabolism, exhaustion, and receptor diversity with optional customization for measuring transgene expression with NanoString’s Protein Barcoding Service.

Gene-based Instruments

Company Announcements

PathogenDx, a provider of DNA-based pathogen testing technology announced a $3.4 million capital raise in July, completing the company’s convertible note round. The PathogenDx capital raise was co-led by Altitude Investment Management and the Panther Opportunity Fund.

In September, LuminUltra, a developer of portable microbiological monitoring tools, acquired InstantLabs, which provides point-of-use qPCR-based and NGS products and services.

LGC Axolabs announced in October an 8,611 ft² (800 m²) addition to its site Kulmbach, Germany, to expand the capacity of its specialist therapeutic oligonucleotide development solutions business and create a new GMP analytical capability. The addition expands the total site capacity to 48,438 ft² (4,500 m²) and 100 scientists. The expansion is due to open in February 2019.

In October, Fluidigm entered into a non-exclusive distribution agreement with DNA Software to provide CopyCount-CNV software for use with the Fluidigm Biomark HD, a qPCR system.

Product Announcements

In August, Eppendorf extended its range of PCR accessories with a new software application, the CycleManager X50, for the remote control of up to 50 Mastercycle X50 eco modules.

Fluidigm and GenomOncology announced in September an expanded Immuno-Oncology Gene Expression Workflow to accelerate the development of checkpoint immunotherapies and the identification of potential predictive biomarker signatures for therapeutic response. The integrated solution spans RNA extraction through data analysis with optimized software from GenomOncology’s the GO Immuno-Oncology Workbench.

In September, UgenTec released FastTyper end-point PCR analysis software, which uses AI methods to accelerate genotyping analysis workflows and improve data interpretation in applications such as agricultural breeding programs.

Ubiquitome introduced in October the Liberty16 mobile real-time PCR system, with a starting price of $1,500. Built-in lithium batteries provide 2–3 hours of mobile running time.

Sales and Orders of Note

In November, Bio-Rad Laboratories was awarded a contract for its iQ-Check real-time PCR pathogen detection test kits and the iQ-Check Prep Automation System from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. The contract includes real-time PCR-based tests for pathogens that include Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC).

Cell-based Instruments

Company Announcements

In October, following installation the triple modality AnyScan (SPECT/CT/PET) system, Mediso Medical Imaging Systems began a scientific collaboration with the UK’s National Physical Laboratory.

Berkeley Lights, a digital cell biology company, announced in October the completion of a $95 million financing led by Nikon. New investors include Varian.

In October, cell-line developer Selexis and Berkeley Lights announced a collaboration around the acquisition of Berkeley Lights’ Beacon optofluidic platform. The partners will leverage the technology to accelerate cell line development with the Selexis SUREtechnology Platform.

Fluidigm announced in October the publication of the 10,000 Immunomes Project (10KIP), a human immune reference standard containing mass cytometry immune cell profiles, by investigators at the University of California, San Francisco and Northrop Grumman Information Systems Health IT.

Proteona entered into an exclusive worldwide licensing agreement in October with the National University of Singapore for Enhanced Single Cell Analysis with Protein Expression (ESCAPE) RNA sequencing Technology. Proteona is pioneering the use of validated multiplex panels of DNA-barcoded antibodies to provide proteomic information in addition to total mRNA sequence data from single cells.

In November, single-cell analysis firm 1CellBio partnered with the Open Medicine Institute, an independent precision medicine clinical and research organization, to apply and validate its inDrop system as part of a clinical research project to investigate the potential for single-cell RNA-sequencing technology in precision medicine applications. The collaboration will initially focus on generating predictive data for patients with an undiagnosed immune dysfunction condition.

Product Introductions

In October, ACEA Biosciences released the xCELLigence RTCA Software Pro. an integrated software package designed specifically for immune-oncology applications, for its xCELLigence Real Time Cell Analysis instruments.

BioTek Instruments introduced in October the AutoScratch Wound Making Tool to facilitate 2D collective cell migration and invasion applications. It automatically creates consistent scratches of equivalent size and area in confluent cell monolayers grown in 24- or 96-well microplate formats.

In October, Cytek Biosciences launched the value-added Cytek Northern Lights series of flow cytometer systems, which can be configured for 1 laser for 1–9 colors or 3 lasers for more than 24 colors.

Celsee introduced in October the Genesis system for single-cell analysis. The system uses a gentle, gravity-based method to capture and isolate individual cells while maintaining viability and structural integrity. It uses Celsingle micro analysis slides to capture and isolate individual cells. Celsingle slides have the capacity for up to one million cell-isolation microwells.

In October, Menarini Silicon Biosystems announced the launch its DEPArray FFPE SamplePrep Kit for its DEPArray system, calling it the first commercially available kit for the disaggregation and staining of FFPE tissue sections down to a single-cell suspension.

Poietis released in October a new range of NGB (next generation bioprinting) systems for tissue engineering, integrating all bioprinting techniques (laser, extrusion, inkjet by micro-valve). The NGB-R is designed for research markets and the NGB-C is a clinical version designed for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products production.

In November, Dolomite Bio launched a high-throughput single nuclei RNA sequencing protocol for its Nadia Instrument, enabling researchers to cost effectively profile both complex and archived tissues.

Sales and Orders of Note

In September, Nanion Technologies announced the placement of two SyncroPatch 384PE high-throughput clamp patch instruments at CRO Charles River Laboratories.

In October, Mediso USA announced the 100^th installation of a MultiScan LFER 150 PET/CT system, which was placed at the Tulane National Primate Research Center. The Center is the 4^th site in North America to install one of the systems. The system will support infectious disease research.

Bruker announced in October the installation of a high-field 4 T small animal preclinical MRI system with integrated, in-line PET at the Germany Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, Germany. The system is installed at the DKFZ Division of Medical Physics in Radiology.

Protein-based Analysis

Company Announcement

In October, Quanterix announced a collaboration agreement with OncoGenesis, a molecular protein-based cervical screening company, to develop a quantitative, protein biomarker diagnostic test for cervical health. The two companies will jointly complete the development of the test on Quanterix’ forthcoming SP-X Imaging and Analysis System, and OncoGenesis will commercialize the test in developing countries.

Expedeon announced in November a supply and license agreement with Quanterix for its CaptSure immunoassay technology for single-target analysis, as well as for its Lightning-Link conjugation technology for antibody labelling.

Product Introductions

In November, Quanterix announced an early access program for its 10-plex assay for oncology research and drug development and the benchtop SP-X Imaging and Analysis System, both utilizing a planar array technology. The SP-X system expandes the company’s Simoa franchise into oncology and immune-oncology research.