Who Owns Applied Biosystems?

Sam Eletr and Andre Marion, scientists at Hewlett-Packard, founded Applied Biosystems in 1981 in Foster City, California. The company commercialized automated instruments for protein sequencing and DNA synthesis, then moved decisively into DNA sequencing.

Its 1987 launch of the ABI 370A automated DNA sequencer changed genomics. Applied Biosystems sequencers became the standard instruments of the Human Genome Project, and the ABI PRISM line dominated capillary electrophoresis sequencing through the 1990s. The company also built a leading position in real-time PCR with its thermal cycler and detection systems.

Corporate structure shifted repeatedly. Perkin-Elmer built a stake in the company in the early 1990s, formed the PE Biosystems division, and in 2000 the life sciences business took the Applied Biosystems name under a new holding company called Applera. In 2008, Applied Biosystems merged with Invitrogen to create Life Technologies, headquartered in Carlsbad, California.

Thermo Fisher announced the $13.6 billion Life Technologies acquisition in 2013 and completed it in February 2014, at the time its largest deal ever. Applied Biosystems was folded into the Genetic Sciences and Life Sciences businesses, and the brand continued on PCR instruments, genetic analyzers, and forensic kits.

Under Thermo Fisher, Applied Biosystems platforms remained standard in clinical laboratories and forensic DNA testing. QuantStudio real-time PCR systems and SeqStudio and 3500 series genetic analyzers anchor the current lineup. The brand's instruments were heavily used in PCR testing infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic.