San Diego-based General Atomics has purchased certain assets of molecular diagnostics technology maker Xagenic in a push to continue advances in the defense microelectronics, advanced sensor and signal processing technology areas.
General Atomics said Thursday it will integrate the acquired assets into a bio-sensor technology development unit of its electromagnetic systems business in Rancho Bernardo, California, the company said Thursday.
Graham Jack, former chief of research and development at Xagenic, will serve as head of bio-sensor technology development initiatives at General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Group.
GA-EMS President Scott Forney said Xagenic’s experience in ultrasensitive microelectronics and nano-sensor design will complement GA-EMS’ expertise in specialized electronic systems production.
Forney added that Xagenic’s assets will help GA-EMS “meet the challenge of miniaturizing and ruggedizing electronics for field deployable systems.”
Xagenic developed a system that works to accelerate laboratory-quality molecular diagnostics for disease detection using a customizable cartridge that contains a proprietary sensor chip.
Rolf Ziesing, GA-EMS vice president of programs, said that the acquisition will help his company deliver field-deployable diagnostic platforms in support of national security missions.
