GenScript Biotech Acquires CustomArray to Expand Synthetic Biology Product Portfolio

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Dec 27, 2017, 06:30 ET

PISCATAWAY, N.J., Dec. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- GenScript® Biotech Corp., the leading global provider of gene synthesis services, announced today that it and GenScript USA Holding Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary, have entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the issued shares of CustomArray Inc., a privately held DNA microarray company that provides customized oligonucleotide pools and microarrays to many of the world's leading academic and industrial organizations for applications in targeted sequencing, complex DNA libraries, synthetic biology, shRNA libraries, and CRISPR, from all of its shareholders. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"The acquisition of CustomArray further strengthens our synthetic biology product portfolio with a unique technology that we believe will enhance our customers' ability to accelerate innovation in drug discovery and development, genome editing, protein engineering, and synthetic biology," said GenScript CEO Frank Zhang, Ph.D. "We welcome the entire CustomArray team to the GenScript family and look forward to working with them to enhance the market penetration and value of this important technology."

CustomArray uses semiconductor chip technology to electrochemically synthesize DNA right on the chip surface. The patented and proprietary technology allows the creation of large numbers of different oligonucleotides in a highly parallel, high-throughput, high-density, and cost-effective manner. CustomArray, as a market leader in oligonucleotide pools, with one of the world's leading array-based synthesis technologies, strengthens GenScript's leadership in synthetic biology, such as gene synthesis, CRISPR library, shRNA library, enzyme and antibody engineering.

"GenScript's innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and aggressive growth, along with its depth of marketplace knowledge and reach, make it a highly desirable partner for CustomArray," said CustomArray CEO Brooke Anderson. "We are excited to join the GenScript team and excited to capitalize on the opportunity to bring our technology to a much broader range of customers and applications than we could ever reach on our own. We look forward to providing products to innovators in the fields of genome editing, biomaterials, agriculture, and more."

About GenScript
GenScript is the world leader in gene synthesis, and a peptide, protein, and antibody research partner for fundamental life science research, translational biomedical research, early stage biopharmaceutical development, and synthetic biology. Since its founding in 2002, GenScript has provided services and products to scientists in more than 100 countries worldwide. The company delivers biological research services encompassing gene synthesis and molecular biology, peptide synthesis, custom antibodies, protein expression, antibody and protein engineering, in vitro and in vivo pharmacology and industrial synthetic biology products. For more information, visit www.genscript.com.

About CustomArray
CustomArray, Inc. is a provider of oligo pools to many of the world's leading academic and industrial organizations for applications including targeted sequencing, complex DNA libraries, synthetic biology, shRNA libraries, and CRISPR. The company's patented CustomArray system for the in situ synthesis of oligonucleotide microarrays uses advanced semiconductor technology to enable it to synthesize tens of thousands of oligonucleotides simultaneously. CustomArray is based in Bothell, Washington.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer:
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements related to the earnings and sales forecasts. These forward-looking statements are based upon GenScript's current plans, assumptions, beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation: market condition, global stability, new technologies. The forward-looking statements made in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. GenScript expressly disclaims any duty, obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in GenScript's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

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Media:
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SOURCE GenScript Biotech Corporation