Life science tools provider Bruker Corporation is expanding into the hot field of single-cell analysis through the acquisition of PhenomeX in an all-cash deal valued at around $108 million. Bruker aims to complement its existing microscopy and proteomics businesses by adding PhenomeX’s platforms for studying gene and protein expression in individual cells.
PhenomeX itself was formed just this year through the merger of two prior companies, Berkeley Lights and IsoPlexis. The combined entity offers instruments, software, and reagents to examine the genotype and phenotype of single cells in high throughput.
This enables researchers to link specific cellular traits to underlying genetics and molecular characteristics. It provides a valuable window into cell function relevant to disease as well as development of new therapies.
Bruker cited antibody discovery, cell line engineering, and cell and gene therapy as prime application areas that are fueling rapid growth in the single-cell analysis market. The company pointed to the over 400 systems PhenomeX already has installed at customers as evidence of strong demand.
PhenomeX’s key technology is its Beacon Optofluidic System, which can assess the behavior of tens of thousands of individual cells in parallel while keeping them alive for further genomic analysis. The IsoLight and IsoSpark systems complement this by measuring protein expression in each cell.
Bruker views the acquisition as a launching point into the single-cell biology space, which it called a natural adjacency to its existing fluorescence microscopy offerings. The company has begun expanding beyond its core analytical instrumentation business into faster-growth life science markets.
But some analysts questioned the hefty valuation Bruker paid, amounting to a 90% premium over PhenomeX’s stock price prior to the merger announcement of its predecessor companies. While the technology is cutting-edge, PhenomeX remains an early-stage business posting minimal revenue.
Bruker may need to invest significantly more over years to fully commercialize PhenomeX’s products and turn it into a growth contributor. But the opportunity to lead a new market niche ultimately justified the price.
Single-cell analysis has become one of the hottest areas within the life sciences amid the precision medicine revolution. Researchers are realizing individual cells often differ genetically and behave differently even within the same tissue sample. Analyzing them as a group obscures key insights.
By examining each cell’s genotype and phenotypic traits individually, links can be drawn to implicate specific genes in cellular functions relevant to diseases like cancer. This enables more targeted drug discovery.
The market is still in its early days but is on a steep growth trajectory as biopharma companies incorporate single-cell capabilities into their R&D. Bruker already enjoys strong relationships through its existing product lines and now gains a foothold to capitalize.
Meanwhile, gaining Bruker’s global commercial infrastructure and resources provides a major boost to PhenomeX, which was formed through the merger of two startups. Having an established industry leader backing its technology and lowering R&D risks strengthens its prospects.
For Bruker investors, the purchase expands the company’s total addressable market by billions in the coming years. While not yet profitable, PhenomeX offers a bridge into a complementary fast-growing segment aligned with Bruker’s strengths.
The deal is the largest in Bruker’s recent spate of acquisitions to reshape itself beyond analytical tools into a more diversified life sciences player. It mirrors consolidation in the broader market as major instrumentation firms seek more exposure to biopharma and cell-based research markets.
If Bruker can successfully integrate and scale up PhenomeX’s platform, the $108 million price tag may prove to be a bargain entry point into the booming single-cell analysis space.