Quanterix Acquires UmanDiagnostics for $22.5 Million to Strengthen Leadership in Neurofilament Light Chain Biomarker Analysis

VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned from foreign media that on June 26, Eastern Time, digital biomarker analytics company Quanterix Corporation announced it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Class A and Class B shares of privately held UmanDiagnostics for $22.5 million, comprising $16 million in cash and $6.5 million in Quanterix common stock. Uman is a preferred supplier for biopharmaceutical and diagnostic applications.

UmanDiagnostics, headquartered in Sweden, provides Nf-L antibodies and ELISA kits that are widely recognized by researchers, biopharmaceutical companies, and diagnostic firms worldwide. These kits are also the preferred solution for detecting Nf-L to advance the development of therapies and diagnostic methods.

Nf-L Antibodies and ELISA Kits for Neurodegenerative Diseases. This innovation has enabled the expansion of research that was previously largely confined to cerebrospinal fluid, leading many prominent neurology researchers and clinicians worldwide to conclude that Nf-L is arguably the most clinically significant brain biomarker today. Nf-L has been demonstrated to be useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of various diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease.

Kevin Hrusovsky, CEO, President, and Chairman of Quanterix Corporation, stated, “We believe that the ability to measure Nf-L in blood represents one of the most significant advances in the diagnosis and monitoring of various neurodegenerative diseases, with the potential to substantially improve the lives of individuals affected by certain conditions. UmanDiagnostics has developed a highly specific antibody that exhibits excellent affinity for clinically relevant epitopes of Nf-L in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid. When their innovation is combined with our Simoa technology, Nf-L can be measured with high precision using smaller sample volumes. The acquisition of UmanDiagnostics will enable Quanterix to better support Nf-L research and ultimately expand the utility of Nf-L testing, while delivering substantial strategic and financial value to Quanterix.”

“Quanterix has long been one of our partners, and its Simoa technology holds promise for truly unlocking the value of Nf-L. We are proud that our focus on Nf-L has enabled us to achieve this modest milestone in the field of neurodegeneration. We look forward to joining Quanterix to jointly advance this area,” said Niklas Norgren, President and Chief Executive Officer of UmanDiagnostics.

This transaction secures a long-term supply source for critical technologies. Over 25% of Quanterix’s revenue depends on Nf-L. In the past decade, many companies have attempted to develop competitive Nf-L antibodies. This acquisition will ensure that Quanterix can continue to provide researchers worldwide with its “best-in-class” Simoa Nf-L assay, while continuing to innovate in digital biomarkers to advance the field of neurological diagnostics research.

There are currently 46 key clinical trials involving serum Nf-L, 16 of which are industry-sponsored. In these clinical trials, serum Nf-L has demonstrated significant potential for the diagnosis and monitoring of various diseases. It is reported that the projected market size for Nf-L, based on trial estimates, stands at $10 billion. In this acquisition, Quanterix stated that it will fully capitalize on these opportunities, whether through collaborations with leading diagnostic and biopharmaceutical companies or by operating independently.

Quanterix is a digital biomarker analytics company dedicated to advancing the science of precision health. The company’s digital health solution, Simoa, has the potential to transform current healthcare practices. Researchers use Simoa to closely examine the physiological changes in the human body as it transitions from health to disease. Quanterix’s technology aims to enable earlier disease detection and improve patient treatment, thereby enhancing future quality of life and longevity. Simoa technology is currently employed in research applications across multiple therapeutic areas, including oncology, neurology, cardiology, inflammation, and infectious diseases.

(Compiled by Zhang Jing)