Logo

BioMerieux Spends $60M to Acquire Private Molecular Dx Firm

Sep 11, 2008
NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – BioMerieux today announced that is has acquired privately held molecular diagnostics firm AviaraDx for $60 million.
 
San Diego-based AviaraDx makes tests — the CancerTYPE ID and Breast Cancer IndexSM — that are used for the molecular classification of cancers and to aid oncologists in making therapeutic decisions. BioMerieux said that with the acquisition it gains validated cancer biomarkers as well as capabilities in gene expression profiling in tissues for oncology applications.
 
AviaraDx also runs a high complexity CLIA certified service lab and has a total of 19 employees. BioMerieux said that AviaraDx “has limited sales today and is projected to lose approximately $8 million in 2008.” It anticipates the firm breaking even in 2012.
 
The firm will operate as an independent legal entity and be renamed bioTheranostics. BioMerieux Corporate VP of Business Development and Theranostics Richard Ding has been named CEO of the new subsidiary. He will continue to serve on BioMerieux’s management committee and will continue to lead BioMerieux’s business development and theranostics activities.

Breaking News
The Scan

Interfering With Invasive Mussels

The Chicago Tribune reports that researchers are studying whether RNA interference- or CRISPR-based approaches can combat invasive freshwater mussels.

Participation Analysis

A new study finds that women tend to participate less at scientific meetings but that some changes can lead to increased involvement, the Guardian reports.

Right Whales' Decline

A research study plans to use genetic analysis to gain insight into population decline among North American right whales, according to CBC.

Science Papers Tie Rare Mutations to Short Stature, Immunodeficiency; Present Single-Cell Transcriptomics Map

In Science this week: pair of mutations in one gene uncovered in brothers with short stature and immunodeficiency, and more.