layoffs

In a Twitter message dated Dec. 4, the company said it is suspending its US operations for the time being "due to an unexpected adverse financing situation."

The firm disclosed to the state of California that it plans to lay off 42 employees in San Diego and 16 employees in Foster City.

A company executive confirmed that Helix has laid off an undisclosed number of employees and is closing its Denver and San Francisco offices.

The company, which employs 300 people, axed 30 jobs in the US and 25 jobs from its overseas operations as it refocuses on therapeutic development.

The subsidiary of Canon USA shut down as of Dec. 31 and terminated a distribution agreement with Dutch PCR company Molecular Biology Systems.

Roche said the layoffs at its Madison, Wisconsin site will start Dec. 31 and continue through June 30, 2020.

The company is developing tests based on the analysis of the spatial patterns of chromosomes by tagging and imaging their telomeres.

The company launched in 2013 as a spinout from Boston Children's Hospital to provide genetic diagnostic tests. 

The company said the layoffs are part of a cost-reduction plan that aims to initially cut annual operating expenses by $1.7 million.