Takara Bio plans, through a subsidiary, to acquire Rubicon Genomics for approximately $75 million, the companies said today, in a deal designed to help the buyer broaden its worldwide commercial offerings in next-generation sequencing (NGS) sample preparation, and expand into new markets.
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI, Rubicon is a provider of pre-analytical library preparation kits designed to increase the accuracy, efficiency, and speed of genomic analysis.
The companies said the acquisition will enable Takara Bio to add complementary products for NGS library preparation and genetic analysis to its global reagent product mix, and expand its product portfolio into IVF and other clinical markets.
The combination is also designed to strengthen Takara Bio’s competitiveness in low-input and single-cell pre-analytical sample preparation, as well as increase access to Rubicon's technologies and products by applying Takara Bio’s research market expertise and global commercial reach.
“This acquisition builds on Takara Bio Group's commitment to develop a differentiated NGS portfolio and provide our customers with a broader offering of genetic analysis solutions, particularly in the area of library preparation,” said Carol Lou, president, Takara Bio USA, which with Takara Bio USA Holdings (TBUSH) constitute Takara Bio Group.
She said Rubicon's technologies and products complement Takara Bio offerings such as its portfolio of cDNA synthesis, low-input, and single-cell RNA-seq products based on the company’s SMART® technology.
Rubicon's technology is also complementary with the instrument platforms and technologies of WaferGen Bio-systems, which TBUSH said in May it will acquire for up to $50 million, in a transaction set to close in March 2017.
Through TBUSH, Takara Bio will acquire all outstanding capital stock of Rubicon for approximately $75 million, in a transaction subject to customary closing conditions.
