US-based Cancer Genetics acquires BioServe India

The US-based Cancer Genetics Inc, an emerging leader in DNA-based cancer diagnostics, has announced the acquisition of BioServe Biotechnologies (India) Pvt Ltd, the Hyderabad-based premier genomics services provider serving both the research and clinical markets in India, for approximately $1.9 million (about Rs 11.56 crore).
 
BioServe India, which operates out of a 14,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art genomics facility in Hyderabad, has serviced over 200 clients with best-in-class genomic services, including next-generation sequencing, genotyping and DNA synthesis. Cancer Genetics will benefit from immediate revenue through BioServe India’s long-term contracts with academic and research institutions and its capabilities in genetic research, test development and genomic analysis.
 
BioServe India’s clients include some of the leaders in the Indian life sciences industry, including Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Natco Pharmaceuticals, Piramal Life Sciences, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research and the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology.
 
“We are excited to be joining Cancer Genetics. This merger will allow us to improve patient care in India by delivering cutting-edge, patented cancer diagnostic technologies and allow us to offer an even broader range of state-of-the-art services to biopharma customers, hospitals and academic research institutions,” said Venkatadri Bobba, General Partner of Ventureast (a venture capital fund) and a board member at BioServe India.
 
Panna Sharma, CEO, Cancer Genetics, said the acquisition places the company in a unique position to meet the growing need for genomic-based cancer diagnostics in this market. He anticipates wide adoption of Cancer Genetics’ proprietary tests for non-Hodgkins lymphomas and leukemias, kidney cancer and cervical cancer. In particular, the acquisition positions Cancer Genetics to revolutionise cervical cancer screening and treatment in India, where 123,000 new cases are diagnosed annually, he said. 
 
“We now have a growing pipeline of potential clients and collaborators for our non-invasive cervical cancer test in India, where cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women, accounting for 25 percent of global cervical cancer deaths. FHACT will provide physicians in India with critical genomic information to provide improved screening for cervical cancer in both urban and rural settings,” said Sharma.
 
The expansion into India will also allow Cancer Genetics to leverage its resources and scale its operations, while strengthening its capabilities in molecular testing, DNA synthesis, biomarker analysis and next-generation sequencing, Sharma said. He described the Hyderabad laboratory as an important resource that will allow Cancer Genetics to access high-growth markets for oncology diagnostics and reduce costs associated with product manufacturing, test development and genomic data analysis. 
 
Under the terms of the agreement, BioServe India will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Cancer Genetics that will be renamed Cancer Genetics India. Cancer Genetics plans on retaining BioServe India’s 33 employees, and expanding and strengthening the team. 
 
“This acquisition is an important milestone for Cancer Genetics, as we now have the clinical diagnostics infrastructure and resources to deliver critical genomic oncology services at a time when India has placed a high priority on expanding its healthcare capabilities,” said Sharma.