NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Human Longevity said today that it has acquired genome informatics firm Cypher Genomics for an undisclosed amount.
San Diego-based Cypher Genomics has been offering human genome interpretation software. The company's 14 employees will join Human Longevity, including CEO and cofounder Ashley Van Zeeland, who is now heading Human Longevity's pediatric business.
Cypher's Mantis software is used to interpret genomic sequencing data to find clinically significant variants. In addition, the company has developed a biomarker discovery service called Coral.
Cypher's collaborators include Celgene, Illumina, Sequenom, the Scripps Translational Science Institute, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Clinic for Special Children. This past summer, the company and its partner Lockheed Martin were selected by Genomics England as a reserve bidder for providing genome interpretations for the 100,000 Genomes Project.
"Cypher Genomics has created important automated and scalable genome interpretation technology, informed by additional expertise in genetics and biology, that we believe will be invaluable to [Human Longevity's] business," said Human Longevity CEO and cofounder Craig Venter in a statement.