Qiagen acquires Enzyme Solutions Unit of Enzymatics

Qiagen, a Dutch provider of sample and assay technologies, has bought the Enzyme Solutions Unit of Enzymatics, a supplier of enzymes which drive the adoption of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and other genetic analysis technologies in life sciences research and clinical healthcare.

Financial terms of the transaction, which was completed in December 2014, have not been disclosed.

Enzymatics, a privately-held US company founded in 2006, sells a portfolio of reagents that are estimated to be used in more than 80% of all global NGS sequencing reactions. These enzymes are key ingredients across the workflows of all commercially available sequencing solutions.

Through this acquisition, Qiagen will be able to offer a complete NGS workflow from biological sample to molecular insights, as well as a broad and rapidly growing portfolio of 'universal' NGS products compatible with any sequencer.

The deal includes R&D, manufacturing, formulation and analytical capabilities, which will enhance Qiagen's expertise in enzymology. Approximately 50 employees have joined Qiagen at the current Enzymatics site in Beverly, Massachusetts, US.

'Enzymatics has distinguished itself as a premier enabler of the emergence of affordable, widely usable NGS sequencing,' said Peer Schatz, CEO of Qiagen.

'These solutions are a perfect fit with our leading offering of universal NGS products as well as with our strategy to develop integrated workflows that will help to drive the adoption of NGS in clinical healthcare.'

These solutions are a perfect fit with our leading offering of universal NGS products

Christopher Benoit, co-founder and Head of Enzymatics' Enzymology Business, who has joined Qiagen, added: 'Joining Qiagen will allow us to stay focused on the needs of genetic analysis innovators while bringing our deep enzymology and customisation expertise into Qiagen's worldwide organisation.'

In addition, Qiagen has entered into a strategic partnership with the newly founded company ArcherDX, which integrates the Archer and Supply Chain Solutions businesses of Enzymatics.

This agreement provides Qiagen with technology and distribution rights for NGS products based on ArcherDX's proprietary AMP chemistry, which enable the detection of gene fusions and other targets that are considered to be critical for personalised healthcare in oncology.

For 2015, Qiagen expects the acquired Enyzmatics activities to provide approximately US$20m CER (constant exchange rates) of incremental net sales.