Cambridge, Massachusetts, – Sony DADC BioSciences, the leading developer and manufacturer of the advanced polymer-based smart consumables that form key components for modern healthcare diagnostic systems, announced today the opening of a new US office in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The office is located at 2 Canal Park, 5 th floor, Cambridge, MA 02141.

This places Sony DADC, an independent subsidiary of Sony Corporation headquartered in Austria, at the heart of one of the biggest and most advanced life sciences innovation hubs in the world. With several leading-edge customers such as RainDance and Quanterix already based in this area, Sony DADC aims to provide an even closer service to potential partners and continue to add to their global portfolio.

Driving this American outreach is Ali Tinazli, Ph.D., Director of Business Development and Sales for Sony DADC BioSciences North America who also contributed to Sony DADC’s initial growth in the US.

Dr. Tinazli has a strong background in developing successful collaborations – with his academic background in biochemistry and nanotechnology with published papers in premium journals as well as his experience in developing transatlantic collaborations with European companies in his former role in a major US biotech company. “Moving to the Boston area demonstrates the excellent growth the company has been seeing, and we are excited about being in such an innovative life sciences hub in America,” said Tinazli “We are looking forward to meeting and working with more companies in the United States.”

Complementing Sony DADC’s presence in Boston is Jessica Melin, Ph.D., Senior Manager, Business Development and Sales, who has been based on the US West coast. Dr. Melin will continue to be based in San Francisco and says, “Establishing an official office in Boston will be a great addition for facilitating further growth for us in the US market”. Dr. Melin also has a strong academic and industry background. Prior to joining Sony DADC, Jessica was Director of Stanford Microfluidics

Foundry at Stanford University, which she developed into a successful operation to manufacture polymer microfluidics devices for research institutes and universities across the US and globally. She has also published widely on topics including microfluidic large scale integration, lab on chip devices, cell biology, and mass spectrometry.

Sony DADC chose the new location because of the quality and quantity of potential customers within the area. For example, Boston-based RainDance Technologies and Quanterix have both completed successful collaborations with Sony DADC. This world renowned hub of biotechnology companies in the Boston area is represented by MassBio, the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council. An association of more than 600 members, MassBio is a powerful advocate for the interests of the life sciences industry in Massachusetts. This presents an enormous advantage to Sony DADC moving into the area, with networking opportunities and the potential for effective collaboration. In addition, through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, Massachusetts is investing $1 billion over ten years in the growth of the state’s life sciences Supercluster. These investments are being made under the Massachusetts Life Sciences Initiative, proposed by Governor Deval Patrick in 2007, and passed by the State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Patrick in 2008.

“Thanks to our investments in education, innovation and infrastructure, Massachusetts is a great place for international life sciences companies to do business,” said Governor Patrick. “Our Administration worked with Sony DADC to help them come here, and we look forward to seeing them create more jobs and opportunities in the Commonwealth.”

“We are excited to welcome Sony DADC to the Massachusetts Life Sciences Supercluster,” said Susan Windham-Bannister, Ph.D., President & CEO of the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center. “Their presence here will contribute to our economy, and strengthen our state’s global leadership in the life sciences. I am confident that Sony DADC will find all of the resources and partners that the company needs to grow and succeed right here in Massachusetts.”

“Massachusetts, a global leader in the life sciences, is proud to welcome Sony DADC. Their decision to locate in Massachusetts is a clear reflection of the international strength and draw of the Commonwealth’s innovation economy ecosystem and the success of the Administration’s continued commitment to fostering a thriving life sciences supercluster,” said Ken Brown, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment. “We congratulate Sony DADC and look forward to partnering with them.”

“We are thrilled to welcome an innovative company like Sony DADC to Massachusetts and look forward to working with the team to make a home here,” said MassBio President & CEO Robert K. Coughlin. “We know that international companies looking to grow in the United States will not find a more concentrated and diverse life sciences Supercluster anywhere.

With offices now on both sides of the Atlantic, Sony DADC can continue to expand their global portfolio. This American expansion complements their European expansion lead by their recently announced Shimadzu partnership.

Christoph Mauracher, head of the BioSciences unit at Sony DADC says “This presents an excellent opportunity to continue to prove ourselves as the leading smart consumable manufacturer and to develop our knowledge with further collaborations. We have proven expertise in our North American team, and see enormous potential in the Massachusetts area.”