Biotech firm swoops for US business to expand its offer

Manchester-based biotech firm APIS Assay Technologies has acquired a US company for an undisclosed sum.

Beogenomics is based in New York City and is a specialised software developer with expertise in Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence (BIOX).

The start-up will be integrated into APIS, supporting the launch of a new BIOX service line as part of the company’s ongoing biomarker research and development activities.

APIS develops new tests for the prediction, prevention, and diagnosis of disease from discovery to regulatory approval.

Bioinformatics and artificial intelligence are key competencies adding value to APIS’s in-house capabilities and expanding its service offer profile.
The company aims to identify novel biomarkers targeting cancer, inflammatory, autoimmune, infectious disease, and inherited disease areas.

Dr Joachim Schorr, APIS chief executive, said: “We are delighted to announce our acquisition of Beogenomics, which offers strong operational and cultural fits.

“We look forward to welcoming the talented team and working together to expand our BIOX capacity internally, and build out a new, discrete, and externally-facing service line.”

APIS chief operating officer, Ian Kavanagh, said: “With the addition of Beogenomics’ proven expertise in bioinformatics, APIS can more effectively capture the exciting opportunities presented in the bioinformatics space.”

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Based on Manchester’s vision to establish a global genomics campus, the MCC investment into APIS already results in growth and very positive momentum as it brings together scientific expertise and cutting-edge technologies to develop novel biomarkers to help diagnose disease for patients in Greater Manchester and around the globe.”