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October 17, 2023

Biotech with Branford operations announces layoffs 

PHOTO | CONTRIBUTED FILE IMAGE IsoPlexis' IsoSpark instrument
By Michelle Tuccitto Sullo

Massachusetts-based Bruker Corp. recently acquired biotech company PhenomeX, which has operations in Branford, for $108 million in cash. 

PhenomeX, meanwhile, has notified the state that it plans to cut 36 workers in Connecticut.

PhenomeX was created early this year when the company Berkeley Lights, based in Emeryville, Calif., acquired Branford-based IsoPlexis for $57.8 million. The two companies at the time combined under the new name of PhenomeX.

PhenomeX is expected to change its name again following this latest deal, according to an announcement.

IsoPlexis, a Yale spinout that launched commercially in 2018, provides customers such as researchers and biopharmaceutical companies with instruments and software. Its technology captures single-cell protein information and then interprets the data for the development of medicines, therapies and vaccines. 

Bruker, which is based in Billerica, Mass., originally announced the agreement to acquire PhenomeX in August, with the acquisition finalized in early October.

Bruker provides scientific instruments for research at the molecular, cellular and microscopic levels. PhenomeX provides customers with single-cell biology research tools, such as with its Beacon, IsoSpark and IsoLight systems.

Mark R. Munch, president of the Bruker NANO Group, said the acquisition marks Bruker’s entry into single-cell biology research tools. 

PhenomeX, headquartered in California, notified the state Department of Labor in a letter dated Oct. 2 that it plans to lay off 208 workers, including 36 in Connecticut.

The Connecticut workers are based at 35 NE Industrial Rd., Branford, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act letter to the state from Michael Meston, vice president of human resources. IsoPlexis’ address is at 35 NE Industrial Rd., Branford.

The separations were slated to begin as of Oct. 2, according to the notice, which the state received on Oct. 11.

“Bruker expects to right-size PhenomeX’s cost structure immediately,” Bruker indicated, in a press release announcing the completion of the acquisition. 

Justin Ward, a spokesperson for Bruker, declined to comment Tuesday on whether or not the company plans to hire the PhenomeX employees mentioned in the WARN notice.

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