My research., page-3

PicoPlex is just one product of Rubicon Genomics which was acquired for US$75m last December.

Rubicon Genomics Reports Robust Sales Growth In 2016 And Announces Early Access Program For ThruPLEX® Tag-seq Kits
-- Sales of Rubicon's DNA Library Preparation Kits Rose 43% in First Half of 2016 as New Products Continued to Gain Traction --

-- ThruPLEX Tag-seq Kits Convert DNA into Molecularly Tagged Libraries Optimized for Low Frequency Allele Detection on Illumina® NGS Platforms --

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Rubicon Genomics, Inc.
Aug 17, 2016, 07:30 ET
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Rubicon Genomics, Inc., a leading provider of pre-analytical library preparation kits that increase the accuracy, efficiency and speed of genomic analysis, today reported that its product sales increased 43% in the first half of 2016 compared to the first half of 2015.  Separately, the company announced an Early Access Program for its new ThruPLEX® Tag-seq Kits.

ThruPLEX Tag-seq was developed to enable detection of low-frequency alleles with greater confidence. It combines molecular tags with Rubicon's proprietary ThruPLEX chemistry to remove library and sequencing amplification errors. ThruPLEX Tag-seq creates molecularly tagged and sample-indexed libraries for sequencing on Illumina®NGS platforms using cell-free DNA and fragmented double-stranded DNA samples ranging from 1 to 50 ng.

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-rele...gram-for-thruplex-tag-seq-kits-300314635.html

Rubicon Genomics is stoked about its amp technology. The company makes DNA and RNA amplification kits to assist life sciences researchers in their quest to study the human genome. Cancer diagnostics are another focus for the company. Its MethylPlex product tests for diseased tissue linked to the regulation of certain cancer genes. Other products on the market include GenomePlex, which is a research kit used for whole genome amplification and PicoPlex tests for single cell testing. The company also provides contract research services to pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and other entities. Takara Holding's Takara Bio USA Holdings unit acquired Rubicon Genomics for some $75 million in early 2017.

Ann Arbor genomics company being acquired in $75 million deal


Rubicon has announced it is merging with Takara Bio USA Holdings, Inc. which is acquiring the company along with all outstanding capital stock for $75 million. Rubicon developments, like the Pico Plex kit seen in this photo, will expand Takara's portfolio of products, officials say. (Courtesy of Rubicon Genomics)

By Jessica Haynes | [email protected]
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on December 22, 2016 at 5:30 AM, updated December 23, 2016 at 3:32 PM



ANN ARBOR, MI - The world of genetic testing is expanding along with Ann Arbor-based Rubicon Genomics.

The company has announced it is merging with Takara Bio USA Holdings Inc. which is acquiring Rubicon along with all outstanding capital stock for $75 million. The deal is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2017.

Rubicon is a privately-held company in Ann Arbor developing and producing products that aid other companies in testing and analyzing genetic samples. There are about 40 employees.

Dr. James J. Koziarz is chairman of Rubicon's Board of Directors and said the acquisition is a result of business connections, as Rubicon has sold products to Takara since 2013, and a robust industry.

"Genetic testing is becoming more and more popular, it's in an explosive growth phase," Koziarz said. "People have to use a product like ours to get at the genetic code, whether for diagnosing how good genes are or if there is defects or mutations."

According to Koziarz, Rubicon will maintain its name and its facility at 4743 Venture Drive in Ann Arbor.

"How things happen in the future, no one can predict, but that's the way they are going to look at it and that's how we are going to take it," Koziarz said.

According to a company statement, the acquisition allows Takara to expand commercial offerings in next generation sequencing sample preparation as well as expand into new markets. Other highlights of the merger include increased access to Rubicon technologies and products and an expansion of Takara's product portfolio.

Takara Bio USA Inc., formerly known as Clontech Laboratories Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japanese biotechnology company Takara Bio Inc. It creates products like the SMARTer cDNA synthesis kits, Cellartis stem cells and stem cell reagants, and a cloning system called In-Fusion.

Carol Lou, president of Takara Bio USA Holdings Inc., said the acquisition builds on the company's commitment to develop a differentiated portfolio and provide customers with a wider range of solutions.

"We welcome Rubicon into the Takara Bio Group and are looking forward to strengthening and expanding our product offerings in the fields of genomics, sequencing, single-cell and clinical applications with their unique technologies," Lou said in a statement.

Takara also plans to acquire WaferGen Bio-systems Inc. That deal is expected to close in March 2017.

The completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003 has had a large influence on the industry as a whole, Koziarz said, and prompted Rubicon officials to consider what impact DNA could have on the field of medicine.

He acknowledged that Rubicon was a struggling company when he became chief executive officer in December 2008.

"Part of it was the market wasn't ready for this," Koziarz said. "We had to tighten our belts, and focus on one or two things."

"Where Rubicon has made a mark here is that our technology allows this to be done with a very small starting amount of DNA," Koziarz said. "For one product, it's down to one cell."

That application can be used during in-vitro fertilization to ensure embryos are viable, and helped stabilize the company. Other Rubicon products developed over the years can characterize tumors or analyze heavily-damaged DNA samples.




Ann Arbor life sciences company expands due to fast growth; aims to increase workforce by 40% in 2015



He believes the timing was right for Takara to acquire Rubicon, which he said has received merger offers in the past.

"We've got a very solid company, the financials are solid. It's a reason why we are attractive as an acquisition," Koziarz said.

Christine Haakenson is president and chief operating officer of Rubicon and agreed with Koziarz that the field of genomics research is growing and more companies are getting involved with the kind of technology Rubicon has been working on since the company was founded in 2000.

According to Haakenson, Takara is a good fit with Rubicon since the research being done by both companies complements each other.

She explained that Rubicon focuses on preparing DNA and separating it into different samples, in a "short time period and an easy work flow in a laboratory or through automation," she said.

"As the whole field has developed, the technology for the amount of samples going through and the need for more difficult samples is occurring," Haakenson said. "Now genomic sequencing is becoming a standard in laboratory research."

Koziarz called it a "very successful relationship" between Rubicon and Ann Arbor, a statement echoed by Haakenson, who said the company is the story of a great team of people from the University of Michigan who were supported by the community.

"Ann Arbor's been great for the company, and I hope at the same time we've contributed to Ann Arbor," Koziarz said.

http://www.mlive.com/business/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2016/12/75_million_acquisition_deal_in.html