Utrechts MolGen acquires Synchron Lab Automation to build high-end automation solutions for DNA/RNA purification

Utrecht-based MolGen, a supplier of reagents for life science research, announced on Wednesday that it has acquired Synchron Instrumenten BV, a Dutch company specialising in automation solutions.

Founded in 1985, Synchron, also known as Synchron Lab Automation, has provided automated solutions in various types of labs, ranging from the oil industry to agro, chemical, clinical, and water/food applications. 

Derk Wilten will continue as Managing Director of Synchron and all other contacts at Synchron will remain unchanged.

Post-acquisition, Synchron will continue to develop & support the existing systems and build new systems for its customers. 

Further, the Dutch firm will also expand sales of its germination, seed health testing, and seed picking systems for plant breeding companies. 

“Synchron will be enabled to grow and reach more customers globally, via MolGens commercial, application, and service team. Combining our hard- and software solutions with MolGen’s reagents will enable us to offer novel solutions and entire workflows that are in strong demand in high throughput genomics labs,” says Derk Wilten, Managing Director of Synchron.

Why this acquisition?

This acquisition will enable the Dutch company to enhance its existing portfolio and expand its ability to develop high-end automation solutions for DNA/RNA purification, library preparation, and NGS setup.

Synchron’s custom liquid handling platforms and rapid prototyping capabilities will be used to further strengthen MolGen’s automation portfolio. 

MolGen and Synchron have already co-developed several automated solutions in recent years, ranging from systems for sample transfer from capped sample tubes to microtitre plates, to a platform for ultra-high-throughput DNA/RNA purification, called the DNA Factory. 

This innovative system enables laboratories to scale up DNA/RNA purification, PCR setup, and library preparation for NGS applications with ease.

MolGen: Challenging status quo in molecular diagnostics 

MolGen is a provider of DNA/RNA extraction technology, automation hardware, reagents, consumables, and software for molecular diagnostics and the agriculture and biotech industries.

The company’s systems, reagents, and consumables enable laboratories to streamline their laboratory workflows while enabling them to be more competitive. 

The Dutch company’s products range from stand-alone solutions to automated total workflows to reduce hands-on time and increase reproducibility.

“This acquisition will enable MolGen to more efficiently build automation solutions, to enable our customers globally; to meet the challenges in terms of the increasing demand of sample throughput and cost efficiency,” says Niels Kruize, CEO of MolGen.