Kiwi firm Biomatters to be acquired by US firm

New Zealand tech firm Biomatters, a global provider of DNA data analysis systems, has reported it will be acquired by US company GraphPad.

Biomatters says the acquisition creates a life sciences software platform with technology and data analysis at the core of scientific research around the world. 

Biomatters CEO Brett Ammundsen says he is proud of the international success the company has achieved, and looks forward to joining forces with GraphPad.

“We have built a team with world-leading expertise and domain knowledge in applying computation and graphical visualisation to the challenges faced by life sciences researchers working with DNA data,” says Ammundsen. 

“The combination with GraphPad will further accelerate our mission to enable technologies based on molecular biology to advance critical research in medicine, diagnostics, and agricultural and environmental science,” he adds. 

Following the acquisition, both companies will continue to operate and serve customers under their respective brands.

Biomatters was incubated in Auckland’s Icehouse accelerator and launched with seed funding from the Ice Angels and NZ Venture Investment Fund. 

Over the last decade, the company has established its Geneious software as the premium brand for DNA data analysis, used by leading academic institutions, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across the globe.

Related reading: Dr Chris Duran, chief operating officer and chief technology officer at Biomatters, talks about the organisation’s culture of innovation and ‘data-first- approach

Thomas Swalla, CEO of GraphPad, says the acquisition of Biomatters is an exciting opportunity to better serve their customers and the scientific community. 

“There is a critical need for scientists and researchers to leverage technology in a way that enhances - not impedes - innovation. As a unified company, we can invest further in these software solutions allowing scientists to stay focused on advancing their research.” 

In 2017, GraphPad received an investment from Insight Partners, a major global venture capital and private equity firm investing in high-growth technology and software companies. 

“This is a strategic and exciting acquisition in the life sciences sector, which continues to see exponential growth in the adoption of technology,” says Jeff Lieberman, managing director at Insight Partners. 

“By creating a platform that delivers technology solutions to enable better data analysis across various aspects of the scientific workflow, we can empower more customers to further scientific innovation. We will continue to invest in products and solutions to complement the platform and further this mission.”

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