Two Cambridge Biotechs Merge

Two Cambridge companies are combining in a deal they say will drive innovation in “spatial multi-omics.” This is a field that combines genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and imaging techniques to look at the interactions and spatial organization of cells and molecules in tissues.

Vizgen Inc. and Ultivue Inc. announced their merger Wednesday. The newly-combined Vizgen will be led by Rob Carson, formerly the CEO of Ultivue. Carson has more than 20 years of experience in the life sciences, including at Medtronic and Waters Corp.

Terry Lo, who served as Vizgen’s CEO beginning in 2020, will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors.

The companies did not share financial details of the deal. Vizgen also announced Wednesday that it completed a Series D round of new equity financing, but did not disclose the amount. Vizgen said it continues to be supported by investors including Arch Venture Partners, Northpond Ventures and Tao Capital Partners.

“This merger represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of spatial multi-omics. By bringing together Vizgen’s expertise in single-cell spatial genomics and Ultivue’s leadership in multiplex proteomic profiling, we are unlocking new opportunities for innovation in discovery and clinical development,” Andrea Jackson, partner at Northpond Ventures, said in the announcement. “I have tremendous confidence in the combined team’s ability to further build on their technology leadership and increased scale.”

The companies say their technologies give researchers the sub-cellular precision needed to understand interactions at the molecular level.

“Imagine having an exquisitely detailed map that not only shows you where cells are, but also how they are interacting with their environment, what they are expressing, and how they are responding to genetic plans and disease treatments. Spatial multi-omics is like having a crystal-clear window into complex cellular interactions that reveals how gene expression and protein function interact to change human biology,” explained Jiang He, scientific co-founder of Vizgen.