Biosearch Technologies
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Formerly | Biosearch Technologies, Inc. |
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Company type | Private |
Industry | Biotechnology |
Founded | 1993 |
Headquarters | Hoddesdon, United Kingdom |
Number of locations | 11 |
Key people | Tim Robinson CEO |
Number of employees | 778 (2023) ![]() |
Parent | LGC Ltd ![]() |
Website | Biosearchtech.com |
LGC Biosearch Technologies is a biotechnology company headquartered in Hoddesdon, UK. It is a subsidiary of LGC Ltd specializing in nucleic acid production, PCR systems, and other molecular biology lab kits and services.[1][2]
LGC Biosearch Technologies employs over 1,200 people across 4 countries.[3] Part of the Genomics Division of LGC, Biosearch Technologies has a network of nine manufacturing facilities and three service labs and serves customers across a number of markets including pharmaceuticals, agricultural biotechnology, diagnostics, food safety, environment, government and academia.
History
Founding
Although Biosearch Technologies was founded in 1993, its roots can be traced back to 1979 when it was preceded by Dr. Ronald Cook's first company, Biosearch, Inc. Biosearch, Inc. experienced 9 years of DNA synthesis instrumentation and chemistry by playing a key role in engineering and manufacturing one of the first automated solid-phase DNA synthesis instruments, the SAM I. As time progressed, Biosearch was also able to bring other DNA synthesizers to market such as the Biosearch 8700, Biosearch 8800 Prep, and the Cyclone.
Mergers and acquisitions
In 1987, Biosearch was acquired by New Brunswick Scientific,[4] who sold the Biosearch unit to Millipore Corporation in 1988.[5] By 1989, Biosearch was renamed Milligen-Biosearch. Due to the loss of several corporate officers, Milligen-Biosearch was subsequently acquired by PerSeptive Biosystems, which in turn was acquired by Applied Biosystems who eventually retired the Biosearch name and products.
After taking a short hiatus, Dr. Cook decided to return to the oligonucleotide industry and founded what is currently known as Biosearch Technologies, Inc.[6] In 2013, Biosearch acquired the oligonucleotide manufacturing arm of DNA Technology and the entirety of VitraBio, a maker of porous glass.[7]
Biosearch Technologies was acquired by LGC in 2015.[8] In 2016 Douglas Scientific was also acquired by LGC, and merged operations with Biosearch Technologies.[9]
Recognition in PCR research
When Kary Mullis received the Nobel Prize in 1993 and gave his Nobel Lecture concerning his invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, he acknowledged Biosearch and Dr. Cook's role in providing him one of the first SAM I DNA synthesizers which was used to support Kary Mullis' PCR research.[10]
Products
Biosearch Technologies licenses products meant for lab work and biotechnology manufacturing, including dyes and primers, as well as Stellaris FISH probes.[11][12][13] In the past, they have developed detection panels for both H1N1 and Avian Influenza A. In addition, they offer a web-based software called RealTimeDesign to help scientists craft custom oligonucleotides.[14]
References
- ^ https://www.biosearchtech.com/about-us/inside-lgc-biosearch
- ^ https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07686158/filing-history/MzQwODA1OTE4NmFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 See page 8
- ^ "Careers at LGC Group". LGC Group. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
- ^ New Brunswick Scientific's Company History on Answers.com
- ^ Millipore Corporation's Company History on Answers.com
- ^ The Biosearch Story on Biosearchtech.com
- ^ "Biosearch eyes European growth with two acquisitions", Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, vol. 33, no. 6 (paper ed.), p. 8, March 15, 2013
- ^ "LGC acquires Biosearch Technologies and extends its expertise in the qPCR market". www.lgcgroup.com. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
- ^ "LGC acquires Douglas Scientific to expand its high-throughput PCR platform offering". www.lgcgroup.com. Retrieved 2024-02-16.
- ^ Kary B. Mullis' Nobel Lecture, December 8, 1993
- ^ Glen Research - Black Hole Quencher Webpage
- ^ Sigma Aldrich - Black Hole Quencher Webpage
- ^ "CGIWrap Error: Script File Not Found!".
- ^ Genetic Engineering News - RealTimeDesign
- Kary B. Mullis' Nobel Lecture, December 8, 1993
- Millipore Corporation's Company History on Answers.com
- New Brunswick Scientific's Company History on Answers.com
- The Biosearch Story on Biosearchtech.com
- Sigma Aldrich - Black Hole Quencher webpage
- Glen Research - Black Hole Quencher webpage
- Genetic Engineering News - PCR Applications Continue to Expand, October 1, 2006
External links
- Biosearch Technologies' website
- RealTimeDesign: Online Design Service for qPCR and SNP Genotyping Assays
- Patents assigned to Biosearch Technologies by the United States Patent and Trademark Office
- Ontario Cancer Institute's use of Biosearch Technologies' Products
- University of Texas Medical Branch's use of Probes Labeled with Black Hole Quencher