Key Stats
Life Technologies Corporation was a biotech company that emerged from the 2008 merger between Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, the company specialized in developing and marketing products for genetic analysis, molecular biology research, and cellular analysis.
The company operated globally with a presence spanning more than 180 countries. Life Technologies served pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, academic institutions, and government agencies with its comprehensive portfolio of research tools and systems.
Life Technologies owned more than 5,000 patents and employed approximately 10,000 people. The company existed for six years before Thermo Fisher Scientific acquired it in 2014, expanding the scientific instrumentation giant’s capabilities in genetic sequencing and molecular diagnostics.
Life Technologies History
Original Life Technologies formed through merger of GIBCO (Grand Island Biological Company) and Bethesda Research Laboratories.
Invitrogen founded in an Encinitas garage by Lyle Turner, Joe Fernandez, and William McConnell.
Invitrogen acquired original Life Technologies and discontinued the name.
Invitrogen merged with Applied Biosystems in $6.7 billion deal, reviving Life Technologies name. Company began trading on NASDAQ under ticker symbol LIFE.
Acquired BioTrove, maker of OpenArray high-throughput gene expression system.
Purchased AcroMetrix and acquired Ion Torrent for $375 million with potential $350 million in milestone payments.
Acquired Navigenics and Pinpoint Genomics to expand molecular diagnostics capabilities.
Thermo Fisher Scientific completed acquisition of Life Technologies for $13.6 billion.
Life Technologies Co-founders
Served as Chairman and CEO of Life Technologies from 2008 to 2014, previously leading Invitrogen from 2003. He guided the merger and built the company into a global biotechnology leader.
Founded Invitrogen in 1987 in Cardiff-by-the-Sea garage with partners. His acquisition strategy transformed Invitrogen into the largest life science equipment supplier before retiring in 2003.
Co-founded Invitrogen with Lyle Turner and William McConnell. His work on early molecular cloning kits established Invitrogen’s foundation in the biotechnology industry.
Life Technologies Revenue
Life Technologies generated consistent revenue growth throughout its existence. The company reported $3.8 billion in revenue for 2012.
Life Technologies Acquisitions
Life Technologies pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy to expand its product portfolio and market reach. The company completed several strategic purchases during its six-year existence.
In 2009, Life Technologies acquired BioTrove, which manufactured the OpenArray system for high-throughput gene expression and genotyping analysis. This acquisition strengthened the company’s position in genomics research tools.
The company purchased AcroMetrix in January 2010, gaining molecular and serological diagnostic quality-control products. This move expanded Life Technologies’ reach into clinical laboratories and blood-screening centers.
Life Technologies made its most significant acquisition in August 2010 by purchasing Ion Torrent for $375 million, with potential additional payments of $350 million based on technical and time-based milestones. Ion Torrent brought revolutionary semiconductor-based DNA sequencing technology that eliminated costly optical detection systems used by competitors.
In 2012, Life Technologies acquired Navigenics, a genetics-based products and services provider, marking the company’s entry into molecular diagnostics. The same year, it purchased Pinpoint Genomics and its non-small-cell lung cancer test.
The acquisition of KDR Biotech, a South Korean reagents distributor, occurred in April 2013. KDR had served as a distribution partner since 1982, and the purchase strengthened Life Technologies’ presence in Asian markets.
These acquisitions demonstrated the company’s strategy of combining cutting-edge technologies with established distribution channels. The approach allowed Life Technologies to offer comprehensive solutions across genetic analysis, molecular biology, and cellular research markets before Thermo Fisher Scientific acquired the entire company in 2014.
Life Technologies Competitors
Life Technologies faced competition from several major players in the biotechnology and life sciences equipment market.
| Company | Country | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Illumina | United States | DNA sequencing and array technologies |
| Roche Diagnostics | Switzerland | Diagnostics and sequencing systems |
| Agilent Technologies | United States | Analytical instruments and reagents |
| Bio-Rad Laboratories | United States | Life science research and diagnostics |
| Qiagen | Germany | Sample preparation and molecular diagnostics |
| PerkinElmer | United States | Diagnostics and life sciences instruments |
| Danaher Corporation | United States | Life sciences and diagnostics |
| Amgen | United States | Biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals |
| Oxford Nanopore | United Kingdom | DNA and RNA sequencing technology |
| Pacific Biosciences | United States | Sequencing systems |
Life Technologies Marketcap
Life Technologies maintained strong market valuation throughout its existence as a publicly traded company. The company traded on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol LIFE.
The company’s valuation grew steadily from its 2008 formation through 2013. Thermo Fisher Scientific acquired Life Technologies in 2014 for $13.6 billion, representing a significant premium over the company’s trading value. The acquisition price reflected Life Technologies’ strong position in the growing genetic sequencing market and its comprehensive product portfolio serving research and clinical applications worldwide.
FAQs
When was Life Technologies Corporation founded?
Life Technologies Corporation was founded in November 2008 through a merger between Invitrogen Corporation and Applied Biosystems Inc. The merger created a combined company with approximately $3 billion in annual sales and about 9,500 employees globally.
Who acquired Life Technologies and when?
Thermo Fisher Scientific acquired Life Technologies Corporation in 2014 for $13.6 billion. The acquisition expanded Thermo Fisher’s capabilities in DNA sequencing, genetic testing, and molecular diagnostics across global research and clinical markets.
What products did Life Technologies manufacture?
Life Technologies manufactured genetic analysis instruments, DNA sequencing systems, molecular biology reagents, cell culture products, and laboratory automation equipment. The company served pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and clinical diagnostic laboratories with comprehensive life science solutions.
Where was Life Technologies headquartered?
Life Technologies Corporation was headquartered in Carlsbad, California, United States. The company maintained operations in more than 180 countries worldwide with manufacturing facilities, research centers, and sales offices across North America, Europe, and Asia.
What was Life Technologies’ revenue before acquisition?
Life Technologies generated approximately $3.8 billion in revenue during 2012. The company demonstrated consistent revenue growth from $3 billion in 2008 to nearly $4 billion by 2013, driven by strong demand for sequencing technologies and research consumables.
