Lexington, MA 3/14/18; Lexington, MA 3/14/18; Washington, DC 3/19/18—Quanterix, maker of the Simoa technology for digitizing biomarker analysis, announced in its fourth quarter 2017 earnings release that it purchased Ashon BioSystems in January. The purchase price was $3.2 million in cash and an additional payment of $0.8 million based on post closing conditions, according to an SEC filing. Discussing the motivation for the purchase, Quanterix President and CEO Kevin Hrusovsky stated in the company’s quarterly conference call, “The primary reason was the technology of planar printing, which is a complement to the bead technology that we have. And longer term, we believe that the planar technology will lead to a much more efficient point-of-care solution, which we think is a big piece of the long-term journey that we’re on is to create a Point-Of-Care [POC] solution and form factor.” He also noted Aushon BioSystem’s existing CLIA-lab capabilities as a benefit. The company plans to use the lab to expand its pharmaceutical services business. Aushon BioSystems is expected to have no material impact on Quanterix’s 2018 revenues. (For Quanterix’s 2017 results, see Bottom Line.)

Aushon BioSystem’s Cira protein-biomarker immunoassay platform consists of plate-based assays, an array reader and a printer. Up to 12 analytes can be printed per well. The Ciraplex ULTRA Ultrasensitive Assays feature fg/mL detection levels for human cytokines. 

Discussing Aushon’s menu of assays, Mr. Hrusovsky told IBO, “Aushon adds over 200 assays to the combined portfolio. The Aushon menu also has some additional species assays (mouse, rat, porcine, etc.) and has some additive multiplex cytokine panels, including a robust 10-plex. Many of these assays will be ported onto the Simoa platform.” The number of Ashon Ciraplex ULTA Assays currently totals 11 and more assays are being added continuously, according to him. 

 Asked how Quanterix plans to transition Ashon’s technology to POC applications, Mr. Hrusovsky said, “The planar assay format of the Aushon technology lends itself to more flexibility in terms of developing POC instruments and platforms. Quanterix engineers and scientists are currently investigating several approaches to leverage the Aushon technology in POC instruments.”