Phenomebio, Inc.

PhenomeX, with its installed base of more than 400 instruments, will serve as Bruker’s entry point into single-cell research. Bruker has signed a $108 million cash deal to acquire the short-lived PhenomeX and absorb its single-cell research tools into its life sciences product catalog.  PhenomeX was formed earlier this year after Berkeley Lights bought up IsoPlexis, a former Fierce Medtech Fierce 15 winner, and adopted a new moniker through an all-stock transaction valued at $57.8 million. The two research hardware companies set out to provide analyses into live biological function by classifying secreted proteins on a cell-by-cell basis. Now, PhenomeX, with its installed base of more than 400 instruments, will serve as Bruker’s entry point into single-cell research and boost its spatial biology programs.  Its offerings—including Berkeley Lights’ Beacon platform and IsoPlexis’ IsoLight and IsoSpark proteomic barcoding systems—will sit alongside Bruker’s various analytical and diagnostic solutions as it becomes a wholly owned subsidiary. Priced at $1 per share, the deal is expected to close before the end of this year. The Beacon Optofluidic system is designed to assist researchers in biologics development by characterizing tens of thousands of single cells in parallel, while keeping the cells healthy enough for additional DNA or protein profiling. Meanwhile, the IsoLight and IsoSpark instruments automate multiplexed measurements of the proteins released between different cells. “The unique single-cell analysis platforms of PhenomeX are enabling researchers to more rapidly and precisely unlock new insights in functional cell biology research leading to important discoveries across the large and rapidly growing markets of antibody therapeutics, cell line development, cell therapy and gene therapy,” said Mark Munch, president of Bruker’s NANO Group, which also houses its X-ray analysis instruments and tools for electron microscopy.

ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mekonos, Inc., a biotech platform company building the future of cell therapies on a chip, today announced the appointment of Benjamin Borgo, MBA, PhD, as chief operating officer. In this newly created role, he will be responsible for developing and implementing operational strategies to support the growth and success of the business. Dr. Borgo reports to Anil Narasimha, PhD, co-founder, chief executive officer of Mekonos. “We are delighted to welcome Ben to the Mekonos leadership team during this important phase of the company’s growth,” Dr. Narasimha said. “His forward-looking leadership style and operational experience – which includes building highly effective teams and brokering successful industry partnerships and alliances – will be invaluable as we continue to advance our integrated cell-engineering platform.” Dr. Borgo brings to Mekonos more than 10 years’ experience in various biotech submarkets, driving product development and managing business portfolios. Most recently, as vice president of mammalian biology and head of product at Inscripta, Dr. Borgo developed and implemented the strategy for deploying their technology in the mammalian cell engineering market, evaluated early-stage M&A opportunities, and deployed a scalable business model to assure the company’s success. “I am excited to join Mekonos as I strongly believe in its mission to ensure that more patients can benefit from cell and gene therapies,” Dr. Borgo said. “The single greatest challenge in the scalable deployment of these life-saving medicines remains the manufacturing and delivery hurdles. Mekonos’ game-changing solution is the most clearly differentiated and most universally deployable technology that I have seen to date. It will change the playing field substantially and be the core technology that accelerates cell and gene therapy development, versatility and adoption.” Prior to Inscripta, Inc., Dr. Borgo has evaluated investment opportunities and managed strategic alliances within cell and gene engineering markets in roles at multinational biotechnology leaders including Merck KGaA/MilliporeSigma and Agilent Technologies. ​​Dr Borgo also oversaw the commercialization efforts of the flagship instrument developed at Berkeley Lights Inc., and was a co-founder of Nanopore Diagnostics, where he helped drive successful early instrument development and pre-series A funding. Dr. Borgo earned his doctorate in biology and biomedical science and an MBA from Washington University. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from San Francisco State University. About Mekonos, Inc. Mekonos is an enabling technology company transforming synthetic biology and personalized medicine. The company's ex-vivo delivery platform merges innovations in semiconductor, microfluidics, and chemistry for controlled and individualized molecular delivery in cells at scale. The company is headquartered in Alameda, CA, is backed by leading investors in both healthcare and technology and was named a 2018 Fierce 15 Startup. For more information, please visit .

Antibody biotech AbCellera declared victory on Monday in a patent fight with biology tools company Berkeley Lights after a US Patent Office appeal board denied Berkeley’s request for a rehearing over one of AbCellera’s patents. Now, Abcellera hopes to restart a patent lawsuit infringement case against the company. The challenged patent covers “microfluidic devices and using such devices to culture cells, monitor a response, and recover selected cells, an important part of AbCellera’s end-to-end monoclonal antibody development engine,” according to AbCellera. Unlock this article instantly, along with access to limited free monthly articles and our suite of newsletters