Standard BioTools

Standard BioTools Inc. is a United States life science tools company that develops and sells analytical systems, consumables, assays, and services for biological research and translational applications. The company was formerly known as Fluidigm Corporation and adopted the Standard BioTools name in 2022 after a strategic investment intended to support a broader and more scalable life science tools platform. It trades on Nasdaq under the ticker LAB. The company’s technology portfolio combines two principal areas. Its genomics business is built around microfluidic devices known as integrated fluidic circuits, or IFCs. These chips allow researchers to configure and process multiple reactions in parallel, supporting applications such as gene-expression analysis, genotyping by PCR, next-generation sequencing library preparation, pathogen detection, pharmacogenomics, sample identification, and agrigenomics. The Biomark X9 System for High-Throughput Genomics is an example of the company’s automated genomic analysis equipment, used with compatible IFCs, reagents, and workflows. Its other major area is proteomic and single-cell analysis. Standard BioTools offers mass cytometry systems that measure proteins and other cellular characteristics at high dimensionality by using antibodies tagged with metal isotopes and detecting them through atomic mass spectrometry. This technology supports multiparameter single-cell analysis in fields including immunology, oncology, infectious disease, drug development, and translational medicine. The company also applies mass cytometry to tissue imaging, allowing researchers to examine the spatial distribution of many markers within preserved tissue sections. CyTOF XT and the Hyperion Imaging System are among the brand’s principal offerings in these areas. Standard BioTools sells to universities and other academic institutions, translational research organizations, medical centers, cancer centers, clinical research laboratories, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, plant and animal research organizations, and contract research organizations. Its commercial model includes instruments as well as purpose-specific consumables, fully kitted reagents, custom assays, software, and services. This combination creates recurring use of consumables and workflows after an institution installs an instrument. The company originated in 1999 as Mycometrix, founded by Stanford University researcher Stephen Quake and Gajus Worthington to commercialize microfluidic large-scale integration technology. The founders’ concept was to create integrated circuits that manipulated fluids rather than electrons. Early applications included protein crystallization, genotyping, DNA analysis, and PCR. The company later became Fluidigm and developed a position in commercial microfluidics, including the manufacture of IFCs. Fluidigm completed its initial public offering in February 2011 after an earlier attempted offering in 2008 did not proceed. In 2014 it acquired DVS Sciences, bringing mass cytometry technology into the company and expanding its business beyond microfluidic genomics. A major financing in April 2022, involving Casdin Capital and Viking Global Investors, preceded the corporate rebrand to Standard BioTools. The new identity was intended to express a broader mission focused on combining complementary technologies and serving pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, and translational research markets. In January 2024, Standard BioTools completed an all-stock acquisition of Nasdaq-listed SomaLogic. That transaction expanded the company’s portfolio toward proteomic measurement and was part of its effort to build a larger platform for biological research tools. Standard BioTools maintains its headquarters and laboratory operations in South San Francisco, has manufacturing history in Singapore, and expanded offices plus manufacturing and research-and-development capacity in Markham, Ontario. At the end of 2023, t…

Standard BioTools traces its origins to Mycometrix, founded in 1999 by Stephen Quake and Gajus Worthington. The company was established to commercialize microfluidic large-scale integration technology developed by Quake. Rather than using circuits to control electrical signals, the technology used networks of channels and valves to manipulate fluids and biological samples. The resulting integrated fluidic circuits became the foundation of the company’s early commercial products. Early applications included protein crystallization, genotyping, DNA analysis, and polymerase chain reaction workflows. The business later operated under the Fluidigm name and became associated with the development of microfluidic devices for parallelized biological experiments. Its products were used by academic laboratories, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical researchers, and other organizations seeking to increase experimental throughput while reducing sample and reagent consumption. Gajus Worthington served as chief executive officer from the company’s founding until 2016. Richard DeLateur, a former Intel executive, joined as chief financial officer in 2006. The company attempted an initial public offering in 2008, but that offering did not proceed. It subsequently completed a successful Nasdaq IPO in February 2011, raising approximately $75 million according to the cited reference material. At the time of the offering, the company was not yet profitable. Fluidigm expanded beyond its original microfluidics focus through the acquisition of DVS Sciences in 2014. DVS had developed mass cytometry technology for multiparameter single-cell protein analysis. The technology uses antibodies labeled with metal isotopes and atomic mass spectrometry to measure many cellular proteins simultaneously. Its integration gave Fluidigm a second technology platform spanning single-cell proteomics, flow-cytometry-related analysis, and tissue imaging. The company also continued to develop integrated fluidic circuits and automated genomics systems. These products supported gene-expression analysis, PCR-based genotyping, next-generation sequencing library preparation, pathogen detection, pharmacogenomics, agrigenomics, and sample identification. The portfolio included instruments, chips, reagents, software, custom assays, and services rather than instruments alone. In April 2022, Fluidigm received a reported $250 million investment from Casdin Capital and Viking Global Investors. The company subsequently changed its name to Standard BioTools. The rebrand emphasized a strategy of creating a diversified and scalable life science tools company focused on research and pharmaceutical markets. The Standard BioTools identity brought together the company’s microfluidic genomics, mass cytometry, tissue imaging, assay, reagent, and service activities. The company expanded its physical infrastructure over time. It established a biochip manufacturing facility in Singapore in 2005, expanded its South San Francisco headquarters and laboratory facility in 2014, and expanded offices and manufacturing and research-and-development operations in Markham, Ontario, in 2022. At the end of 2023, the company had approximately 500 employees according to the cited reference. In January 2024, Standard BioTools acquired SomaLogic in an all-stock transaction. The deal broadened the company’s measurement and proteomics platform and represented a major step in its effort to combine complementary life science technologies. Standard BioTools remains a publicly traded company on Nasdaq under LAB and serves customers across academic research, translational medicine, clinical research, cancer research, biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, agricultural and animal science, and contract research.

• 2024

  SomaLogic acquisition completed

  [1]Standard BioToolsen.wikipedia.org

  Standard BioTools completes an all-stock acquisition of Nasdaq-listed SomaLogic.

• 2022

  Fluidigm becomes Standard BioTools

  [1]Standard BioToolsen.wikipedia.org

  After a major investment from Casdin Capital and Viking Global Investors, the company adopts the Standard BioTools name and presents a broader platform strategy.

• 2014

  DVS Sciences acquired

  [1]Standard BioToolsen.wikipedia.org

  Fluidigm acquires DVS Sciences, adding mass cytometry technology for high-parameter single-cell protein analysis and tissue imaging.

• 2011

  Fluidigm completes Nasdaq IPO

  [1]Standard BioToolsen.wikipedia.org

  The company completes its initial public offering in February, raising approximately $75 million according to the cited reference.

• 2008

  Initial public offering attempt does not proceed

  [1]Standard BioToolsen.wikipedia.org

  An earlier attempted public offering is described as unsuccessful before the company’s later IPO.

• 2005

  Singapore biochip manufacturing facility established

  [1]Standard BioToolsen.wikipedia.org

  The company establishes a biochip manufacturing facility in Singapore.

• 1999

  Mycometrix is founded

  [1]Standard BioToolsen.wikipedia.org

  Stephen Quake and Gajus Worthington establish Mycometrix to commercialize microfluidic large-scale integration and integrated fluidic circuit technology.

A specialized life science tools platform combining high-parameter single-cell protein analysis, tissue imaging, microfluidic genomics, consumables, assays, and research services for academic, clinical research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and contract research customers.

• Mass cytometry system

  CyTOF XT

  A mass cytometry platform for high-parameter single-cell analysis. It uses metal-tagged antibodies and atomic mass spectrometry to characterize many protein markers simultaneously, supporting research in immunology, oncology, infectious disease, drug development, and translational biology.

• Tissue imaging system

  Hyperion Imaging System

  A mass cytometry imaging platform designed to measure multiple molecular markers in tissue while retaining spatial information. It is used for high-dimensional tissue profiling and studies of cellular organization in research and translational settings.

• Automated genomic analysis instrument

  Biomark X9 System for High-Throughput Genomics

  An automated genomics system used with integrated fluidic circuits for parallelized workflows, including gene-expression analysis, PCR genotyping, next-generation sequencing library preparation, pathogen detection, pharmacogenomics, agrigenomics, and sample identification.

• Microfluidic array and consumable

  Integrated Fluidic Circuits

  Microfluidic chips that route and process biological samples and reactions in parallel. Standard BioTools supplies IFCs for genomic workflows and related applications, generally together with compatible instruments, reagents, and configured assays.

• Life science consumables and services

  Assays, reagents, and services

  The company provides application-specific reagents, fully kitted workflows, custom assays, and services that support its genomics, mass cytometry, and tissue-imaging systems. These offerings extend the platform beyond instrumentation and help customers implement defined research applications.

• 2024

  All-stock acquisition of SomaLogicM&A

  Background

  Standard BioTools pursued a larger and more diversified life science measurement platform, with particular relevance to proteomics and research applications.

  Action taken

  The company acquired Nasdaq-listed SomaLogic in an all-stock transaction.

  Aftermath

  The transaction expanded the combined company’s proteomics and biological measurement capabilities.

  Source

• 2022

  Rebrand from Fluidigm to Standard BioToolsStrategy

  Background

  The company sought to present its microfluidics, genomics, mass cytometry, tissue imaging, and related activities as a broader life science tools platform after receiving substantial investment.

  Action taken

  Fluidigm changed its corporate and commercial identity to Standard BioTools.

  Aftermath

  The rebrand established Standard BioTools as the company’s principal identity while its public listing continued under the LAB ticker.

  Source

• 2024

  Standard BioTools completes acquisition of SomaLogic[1]Standard BioToolsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The company acquired Nasdaq-listed SomaLogic in an all-stock transaction, expanding its life science measurement and proteomics capabilities.

• 2022

  Fluidigm changes corporate name to Standard BioTools[1]Standard BioToolsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Following a major investment from Casdin Capital and Viking Global Investors, Fluidigm adopted the Standard BioTools name to present itself as a broader, innovation-focused life science tools company.

1. 1Standard BioToolsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Standard BioTools corporate websitestandardbio.com
3. 3Fluidigm Completes Acquisition Of InstruNor ASlaboratorynetwork.com
4. 4Fluidigm launches new Biomark X microfluidics platformselectscience.net
5. 5Visikol Partners with Fluidigm to offer its Clients Imaging Mass Cytometry Servicesprweb.com