Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc has purchased GnuBIO Inc, a privately held life sciences company that has developed a droplet-based DNA sequencing platform.

Based in Cambridge, Mass, GnuBIO is developing a faster and fully integrated droplet-based DNA sequencing technology that incorporates all the functions of DNA sequencing into a single, integrated workflow for medical diagnostics and research markets. While other sequencing technologies require separate workflows for target selection, DNA amplification, DNA sequencing, and analysis, GnuBIO’s technology will integrate the entire workflow into a single, low-cost solution.

Portrait of Norman Schwartz - CEO - BioRad Laboratories

Norman Schwartz, Bio-Rad

“We are pleased to have GnuBIO join Bio-Rad,” said Norman Schwartz, Bio-Rad president and CEO. “We believe GnuBIO’s innovative DNA workflow is well-suited for the clinical diagnostics sequencing market and will leverage Bio-Rad’s leadership role in the area of droplet digital PCR.”

The innovative system developed by GnuBIO allows for a fully-integrated DNA sequencing platform that utilizes microfluidic and emulsion technology to perform complex, multiplexed reactions in droplets. In the future, this will allow both researchers and clinicians to perform complete DNA sequencing workflows in a few hours instead of days.