Origin Genomics Launches Amid Germline Editing Controversy; Thermo Fisher Completes $8.88B Clario Acquisition

Origin Genomics has launched as a new company aiming to advance germline gene editing and mitochondrial replacement therapy, both of which are prohibited in the US. The controversial biotech, founded by entrepreneur Cathy Tie after her previous venture Manhattan Genomics closed earlier this year, plans to conduct preclinical research for severe inherited monogenic diseases with oversight from institutional review boards. Tie hopes to use data from these studies to encourage regulators to overturn bans on this work so the company's research could move into clinical testing.

Many scientists and biotech trade groups have raised concerns about germline editing technology, with some calling for a moratorium citing safety risks and ethical issues. Origin Genomics, based in New York, was founded after Manhattan Genomics shuttered due to "cofounder conflict." The company's CEO declined to disclose how much funding the company has raised and who its investors are, noting that funding so far has been raised from private investors.

Thermo Fisher Scientific has completed the acquisition of Clario Holdings, a provider of endpoint data solutions for clinical trials, for $8.88 billion in cash and potential additional payments. The deal, announced last October, includes Thermo Fisher agreeing to pay $125 million in January 2027, as well as up to $400 million of earn-out payments based on the performance of Clario's business in 2026 and 2027. Clario will now become part of Thermo Fisher's Laboratory Products and Biopharma Solutions segment, with the acquisition expected to contribute $.45 of adjusted earnings per share to the company's EPS in the first year.

Cancer diagnostics firm Lucid Diagnostics reported a 25 percent increase in its 2025 fourth-quarter revenue to $1.5 million from $1.2 million a year ago. The company had a net loss for the period of $16.3 million, or $.12 per share, in Q4 2025 compared to a net loss of $11.5 million, or $.20 per share, in Q4 2024. On a non-GAAP basis, Lucid had a loss per share of $.10 in Q4 2025. The PAVmed subsidiary processed 3,664 EsoGuard Esophageal DNA tests in the recently completed quarter while recognizing $1.5 million in EsoGuard revenue during the period.

For full-year 2025, Lucid's total revenue rose 9 percent to $4.7 million from $4.3 million in 2024. Its net loss last year was $58.0 million, or $.69 per share, compared to a net loss of $45.5 million, or $1.05 per share, a year ago. The company's 2025 non-GAAP net loss per share was $.43, and it ended 2025 with $34.7 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Primerdesign, part of the Novacyt Group, has formed a strategic partnership with Origin Sciences to create a new protocol to optimize DNA extraction from novel rectal mucosal samples, with the goal of improving diagnostic utility when working with these difficult sample types in gut health conditions. Origin's OriCol medical device enables reliable, rapid, minimally invasive sample collection of rectal mucus, while Primerdesign offers custom assay development and nucleic acid extraction solutions as part of its Exsig Mag range of products.

Artis BioSolutions has established a new synthetic DNA manufacturing hub in Boston using Syngoi Technologies' proprietary enzymatic platform. The expansion extends Artis' regional capabilities, integrating with its advanced therapy development and GMP manufacturing facility in Watertown, Massachusetts. The company said in January that it is acquiring Bilbao, Spain-based Syngoi Technologies, which focuses on synthetic DNA technologies for use in advanced therapies.

Next-generation sequencing service provider Plasmidsaurus has formed a four-year strategic partnership with Addgene, a global, nonprofit plasmid repository. Under the agreement, Plasmidsaurus will handle plasmid sequencing for Addgene, which currently verifies all plasmids using next-generation sequencing, and will help Addgene shift to long-read sequencing for the vast majority of plasmid verification.

Roche has opened a new innovation center for diagnostics research and development in Penzberg, Germany. The €300 million center, which is expected to be fully commissioned in June, is approximately 23,000 square meters in size and uses fully automated processes and cutting-edge robotics. Researchers at the center will focus on neurology, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and specific testing methods for personalized medicine.