Azenta

Azenta is a United States life sciences company headquartered in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. The company provides services, equipment, consumables, and software for the collection, preparation, storage, tracking, analysis, and distribution of biological samples. Its activities include genomics services, automated sample-management systems, laboratory automation, biorepository operations, cryogenic storage, biological-sample logistics, and informatics. The business originated within Brooks Automation, a company established in 1978 that historically operated across semiconductor automation, vacuum technology, and life sciences. Brooks incorporated in 1994 and expanded its capabilities through acquisitions in automation, sample management, cell analysis, cryogenic systems, and genomics. Important additions included Intelligent Automation Systems in 2002, the Celigo automated cell-cytometer product line in 2011, Nexus Biosystems in 2011, 4titude in 2017, and GENEWIZ in 2018. These transactions helped move the life sciences business beyond laboratory equipment into integrated sample and genomic workflows. In November 2021, Brooks Automation separated its semiconductor-related activities from its life sciences operations. The life sciences company adopted the Azenta identity, while the remaining semiconductor automation business continued under the Brooks Automation name. The separation made Azenta a more focused life sciences enterprise rather than a diversified automation supplier. Azenta's capabilities span the biological-sample lifecycle. Its sample-management activities include automated storage systems, laboratory automation, consumables, tracking technologies, and software intended to improve sample identification and retrieval. Its genomics operations, including the GENEWIZ business, provide sequencing and related laboratory services for research, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and other life sciences customers. Its cryogenic activities support the preservation and handling of temperature-sensitive biological materials, while its biorepository and logistics services support long-term storage and controlled movement of samples. The company also expanded into medical refrigeration and vaccine-storage infrastructure through its planned acquisition of B Medical Systems in 2022. B Medical Systems brought specialized ultra-low-temperature, laboratory, blood-bank, vaccine, and medical refrigeration products to the broader Azenta portfolio. The transaction reflected Azenta's strategy of combining physical storage technology with sample-management services and life sciences workflows. Azenta serves pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic and medical researchers, clinical and diagnostic organizations, biobanks, biorepositories, and other institutions that manage valuable biological materials. Its positioning is based on improving sample integrity, traceability, throughput, automation, and access to genomic information. The company operates internationally, with activities and customers across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Azenta is listed on the Nasdaq under the ticker AZTA. Its present identity is closely associated with life sciences rather than the semiconductor and vacuum businesses historically operated by Brooks Automation.

Azenta's corporate history extends back to the establishment of Brooks Automation in 1978. Brooks developed automation technologies for demanding industrial and laboratory environments and incorporated in 1994. Its earlier portfolio included semiconductor manufacturing automation, vacuum and gas-analysis equipment, cryogenic products, and life sciences technologies. The company entered or expanded its automation capabilities through a series of acquisitions. In 1999, it acquired Jenoptik-Infab GmbH, a German business associated with mini-environment technology for 300-millimeter wafer handling. In 2002, Brooks completed the acquisition of Intelligent Automation Systems in Cambridge, Massachusetts. That business contributed custom automation capabilities serving semiconductor, photonics, and life sciences applications. Brooks continued to develop its life sciences activities during the following decade. In 2011, it acquired the Celigo automated Cell Cytometer product line from Cyntellect and acquired Nexus Biosystems, a provider of compound- and sample-management systems. Celigo added automated cell-imaging and cell-analysis capabilities, while Nexus strengthened the company's position in laboratory sample handling. Brooks also acquired assets from Intevac and entered into an agreement to acquire Crossing Automation in 2012. During this period Brooks also reshaped parts of its non-life-sciences portfolio. In 2014, it agreed to sell the Granville-Phillips division to MKS Instruments, completing the transaction on May 30 of that year. The company announced the acquisition of Biostorage Technologies in December 2015, adding capabilities connected with biological-sample storage and management. The life sciences division expanded further with the acquisition of 4titude in 2017. 4titude supplied scientific tools and consumables used in laboratory workflows. In 2018, Brooks acquired GENEWIZ, a genomics services provider. GENEWIZ broadened the business from equipment and storage into sequencing and other genomics-related services, supporting research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and academic customers. A defining corporate transition occurred in November 2021, when Brooks Automation split into two companies. The semiconductor automation activities retained the Brooks Automation name, while the life sciences business became Azenta Life Sciences. This separation gave Azenta a dedicated identity and operating focus centered on biological samples, genomics, laboratory automation, cryogenic storage, and related services. In August 2022, Azenta agreed to acquire B Medical Systems. The proposed transaction, valued at approximately €410 million plus up to €50 million in future performance milestones, was intended to expand Azenta's temperature-controlled storage and medical refrigeration capabilities. B Medical Systems' products included equipment for vaccines, blood banks, laboratories, and other healthcare applications. Azenta now operates as a specialized life sciences company. Its business combines sample-management hardware and software, automated storage, laboratory consumables, genomics services, cryogenic preservation, biorepository operations, and medical refrigeration. The company serves institutions that need to preserve, track, process, analyze, and transport biological materials over extended periods. Its evolution reflects a broader shift from selling individual laboratory or automation products toward providing interconnected infrastructure and services for research, pharmaceutical development, biotechnology, clinical work, and biobanking.

1. 2022B Medical Systems acquisition agreement

   Azenta agrees to acquire B Medical Systems to expand medical refrigeration and temperature-controlled storage capabilities.

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2. 2021Life sciences business becomes Azenta

   Brooks Automation separates its life sciences activities from its semiconductor business, with the life sciences company adopting the Azenta identity.

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3. 2018GENEWIZ acquisition

   Brooks acquires GENEWIZ, expanding its life sciences portfolio into genomics services.

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4. 20174titude acquisition

   Brooks acquires 4titude, a supplier of scientific tools and consumables.

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5. 2015Biostorage Technologies acquisition announced

   Brooks announces the acquisition of Biostorage Technologies, adding biological-storage capabilities.

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6. 2014Granville-Phillips divestiture

   Brooks completes the sale of its Granville-Phillips division to MKS Instruments.

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7. 2011Celigo and Nexus Biosystems additions

   Brooks adds the Celigo automated cell-cytometer product line and acquires Nexus Biosystems, strengthening cell analysis and sample management.

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8. 2002Intelligent Automation Systems acquisition

   Brooks acquires a Cambridge automation company with applications in semiconductor, photonics, and life sciences markets.

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9. 1999Acquisition of Jenoptik-Infab

   Brooks acquires Jenoptik-Infab GmbH to add mini-environment and wafer-handling technology.

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10. 1994Brooks Automation incorporates

    Brooks Automation becomes an incorporated company.

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11. 1978Brooks Automation is established

    The corporate predecessor of Azenta is founded as Brooks Automation.

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Azenta positions itself as an integrated life sciences infrastructure and services provider. Its offering combines genomics, automated laboratory and sample-management systems, cryogenic and medical storage, biorepository operations, consumables, logistics, and informatics. The company primarily serves organizations that need reliable preservation, traceability, automation, and analysis of biological samples at research, clinical, and commercial scale.

• GENEWIZGenomics services2018

  GENEWIZ is Azenta's genomics services business. It supports research and life sciences customers with sequencing and related genomic laboratory services. Its role extends Azenta's offering beyond physical sample handling into the generation and interpretation of genomic data used in academic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and other scientific programs.

• Automated sample-management systemsLaboratory automation

  Azenta provides automated systems for organizing, storing, retrieving, and tracking biological samples. These systems are designed for laboratories, biobanks, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions that handle large sample volumes. Automation can support consistent workflows, reduce manual handling, improve traceability, and help preserve sample integrity across long-term storage programs.

• Cryogenic storage solutionsCryogenic storage

  Azenta's cryogenic activities address the preservation and controlled handling of temperature-sensitive biological materials. The portfolio includes storage equipment and related infrastructure intended for laboratories, biorepositories, pharmaceutical organizations, and other users that require stable ultra-low-temperature conditions and reliable access to stored samples.

• Biorepository and sample logistics servicesLife sciences services

  Azenta offers services connected with biological-sample storage, management, and logistics. These activities support customers that need samples collected, catalogued, preserved, retrieved, and transported under controlled conditions. The services complement the company's automation, informatics, and genomics capabilities by covering operational steps that occur before and after laboratory analysis.

• B Medical Systems refrigeration productsMedical refrigeration

  B Medical Systems products include specialized refrigeration and temperature-controlled equipment for medical, laboratory, blood-bank, vaccine, and healthcare applications. The planned acquisition strengthened Azenta's position in physical cold-chain and biological-storage infrastructure.

• Celigo automated Cell CytometerCell analysis2011

  The Celigo automated Cell Cytometer product line added high-throughput cell imaging and analysis capabilities to Brooks Automation's life sciences portfolio. The system was associated with automated image-based cell analysis and was intended to combine ease of use with laboratory throughput.

• 4titude scientific tools and consumablesLaboratory consumables2017

  4titude contributed scientific tools and consumables used in laboratory workflows. Its addition expanded the life sciences portfolio into products consumed during sample preparation, handling, and laboratory experimentation, complementing Azenta's equipment and service businesses.

• 2022Acquire B Medical SystemsM&A

  Azenta sought to expand its temperature-controlled storage and healthcare infrastructure capabilities.

  What changed. Azenta entered into a definitive agreement to acquire B Medical Systems for approximately €410 million, with an additional €50 million linked to future performance milestones.

  Aftermath. The transaction was expected to add medical refrigeration and cold-chain products serving vaccine, blood-bank, laboratory, and healthcare applications.

  Announced transaction value and potential performance milestones. Approximately €410 million plus up to €50 million in future performance milestones (2022 announced agreement)

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• 2021Separate the life sciences and semiconductor businessesStrategy

  Brooks Automation operated across semiconductor automation and life sciences. The separation was intended to give each business a more focused corporate identity and strategy.

  What changed. The life sciences operations were separated and rebranded as Azenta Life Sciences, while the semiconductor automation business continued under the Brooks Automation name.

  Aftermath. Azenta became a dedicated life sciences company focused on genomics, biological-sample management, cryogenic storage, laboratory automation, and informatics.

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• 2022Azenta agrees to acquire B Medical Systems

  Azenta announced a definitive agreement to acquire B Medical Systems for approximately €410 million, with an additional €50 million tied to future performance milestones. B Medical Systems produces medical refrigeration and temperature-controlled storage equipment.

  M&A
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• 2021Brooks Automation separates its life sciences business under the Azenta identity

  Brooks Automation separated its semiconductor-related operations from its life sciences activities. The life sciences business became Azenta, creating a company focused on genomics, biological-sample management, cryogenic storage, automation, and informatics.

  M&AOther
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• 2021Brooks Automation completes separation of life sciences business under the Azenta name

  Brooks Automation separated its life sciences activities from its semiconductor-related operations, creating Azenta as a company focused exclusively on life science products and services.

  M&ALeadership change
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1. Azenta
2. Azenta official website