ArcherDx Inc, Boulder, Colo, a molecular technology company dedicated to developing breakthrough solutions that advance the application of personalized genomic medicine, has announced its acquisition of Baby Genes Inc, Golden, Colo, a privately held CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited laboratory focused on empowering individuals to take charge of their health through genetic insights.
Baby Genes will continue to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary under the name ArcherDx Clinical Services Inc, and the company will continue to market the suite of existing newborn and carrier screening genetic testing services under the Baby Genes brand name.
Jason Myers, ArcherDx.
The acquisition adds valuable assets to ArcherDx, including the Baby Genes laboratory, with a test menu including a supplemental newborn screening panel that interrogates over 100 genes covering more than 72 clinically actionable, inherited conditions, as well as predefined carrier screening tests that include full gene sequencing for cystic fibrosis (CF), fragile X syndrome, and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The laboratory also offers customized confirmatory and reflex genetic testing services to physicians.
“We have a long, positive working relationship with Baby Genes and from day one we saw natural alignment between the two organizations regarding our shared commitment to accelerating the adoption and application of personalized health,” says Jason Myers, cofounder and CEO of ArcherDx. “Archer’s mission is to democratize personalized medicine, and decentralization of testing is fundamentally important to the success of personalized medicine because of the efficiencies and accuracies that are gained when testing is done locally.
Richard Sjogren, Baby Genes.
“The addition of a CLIA/CAP accredited lab enables our mission, not through centralizing testing, rather to allow us to extend our capabilities in the genetic testing market, improve our ability to understand and anticipate our customers’ needs—especially those customers looking to implement NGS for the first time or expand NGS capabilities—and to enhance our biopharma partner codevelopment capabilities,” adds Myers.
Following the transaction, ArcherDx Clinical Services will leverage the existing ArcherDx research and development functions, while the commercial profiling services for both companies will be consolidated in the former Baby Genes laboratory. Richard Sjogren, cofounder and chief executive officer of Baby Genes, will join the senior management of ArcherDx as vice president of operations.
“We are looking forward to working with the broader ArcherDx team to expand the scope and availability of our proactive genetic health tests,” says Sjogren. “We see tremendous growth opportunities ahead as we continue to partner with innovative scientists, healthcare professionals, and proactive individuals to make a difference in extending and improving the quality of life.”
Learn more about the companies by visiting ArcherDx and Baby Genes.
Featured image: ArcherDX NGS library preparation kits are designed to simplify workflows and minimize accidental contamination.
