NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Abbott has confirmed that its TwistDx subsidiary is consolidating operations in one location in San Diego, and will close its Cambridge, UK locations by the end of the year.
The Cambridge Independent reported this week that TwistDx's decision to move came at a time when the company was switching from Cambridge Science Park into new, expanded premises in Coldhams Lane, Cambridge, and that more than 70 jobs would be at risk of being eliminated. The newspaper reported that certain previously offered products will be discontinued as part of the TwistDx decision to not move to Coldhams Lane and instead relocate operations to San Diego.
"As part of its business, TwistDx evaluated its operations and strategic direction in order to align its operations with commercial needs," Abbott confirmed in an email to GenomeWeb, adding, "We are supporting employees during this transition with severance and outplacement assistance."
Alere acquired TwistDx in 2010, marking one of the acquirer's early initiatives in the molecular space, for an aggregate purchase price of $70.8 million. Abbott acquired Alere in October last year.
According to TwistDx, its isothermal nucleic acid amplification technology, called recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), can be used to replace PCR in a variety of laboratory applications, and end-users can use RPA to design their own ultra-sensitive assays.
In December, researchers at Harvard University and non-profit Diagnostics for All reported that they combined electrochemical detection with RPA on a portable device to improve detection of genetic material from multiple tuberculosis strains.