PrimeraDx

About PrimeraDx

PrimeraDx, Inc. was a molecular diagnostics company that developed and commercialized a clinical platform for quantitative multiplex molecular diagnostics. Founded in 2004, the firm was based in Mansfield, Massachusetts, and focused on creating solutions for infectious disease testing and companion diagnostics for oncology drugs. The company's core technology, STAR, combined quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with capillary electrophoresis, allowing for the simultaneous detection of up to 60 nucleic acid targets in a single sample. This enabled the creation of complex assays to test for various target types, such as gene expression, microRNAs, and DNA mutations.

The company's primary product was the ICEPlex system, a bench-top instrument designed to deliver highly multiplexed, multimodal, and quantitative results for clinical use. PrimeraDx pursued a strategy of selling the system in an open platform mode to clinical laboratories while also developing its own high-value diagnostic products. Throughout its history, the company established several key partnerships. In 2012, it entered a multiyear agreement with Eli Lilly and Co. to develop diagnostic products supporting clinical development programs for new therapeutics, with an initial focus on oncology. In 2013, PrimeraDx formed a co-development agreement with Quest Diagnostics to create and commercialize molecular diagnostic products and services, primarily to support the clinical development of targeted therapeutics for pharmaceutical companies.

The leadership team included Dr. Matthew McManus, who joined as President and CEO in August 2010. The company raised a total of $19.8 million in funding over three rounds from investors such as InterWest Partners, Abingworth, and CHL Medical Partners. After facing financial difficulties and downsizing in late 2013, PrimeraDx was acquired by Qiagen in March 2014. The acquisition was part of Qiagen's strategy to expand its portfolio of molecular analysis platforms for diagnostic development. Following the acquisition, PrimeraDx's 30 employees joined Qiagen.