Mountain View, CA and Ann Arbor, MI 12/15/16—Biotechnology R&D firm and life science reagent supplier Takara Bio has acquired Rubicon Genomics for $75 million. Rubicon develops NGS library preparation kits. “This acquisition builds on Takara Bio Group’s commitment to develop a differentiated NGS portfolio and provide our customers with a broader offering of genetic analysis solutions, particularly in the area of library preparation,” stated Carol Lou, president of Takara Bio USA. “Rubicon’s technologies and products complement our current expertise and offerings such as our portfolio of cDNA synthesis, low-input and single-cell RNA-seq products based on our proprietary SMART technology.” Takara also stated that the purchase adds clinical products, particularly for IVF, and complements its planned acquisition of WaferGen Bio-systems (see IBO 5/15/16).

James Koziarz, CEO of Rubicon, told IBO that the company’s products “are differentiated by their ability to prepare DNA libraries using very small input amounts of DNA. We’re especially strong in the areas of single cells (used in IVF) and cell-free DNA in a patient’s circulation.” The company has 40 employees, according to him. The acquisition extends Takara Bio’s NGS library preparation produce line. Rubicon’s products, such as  ThruPlex and PicoPlex, offer a single tube, three-step protocol. Sales of Rubicon’s DNA Library Preparation Kits rose 43% in first half of 2016 and grew 40% in 2015.