NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – Agilent Technologies announced Monday that it has invested $80 million in next-generation sequencing technology firm Lasergen, with the ultimate goal of incorporating Lasergen's technology into a clinical sequencing workflow.

Agilent's investment gives it a 48 percent stake in Houston-based Lasergen and a seat on the board of directors. Under the terms of the deal, Agilent also has the option to acquire the smaller company's remaining shares for an additional $105 million. That option expires March 2, 2018.