Who Owns Cepheid?

Cepheid was founded in 1996 by Kurt Petersen and Gajus Worthington in Sunnyvale, California. The company pioneered rapid molecular diagnostics using cartridge-based systems that could deliver results in minutes rather than hours or days. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional scientific insight into the growing demand for point-of-care molecular diagnostics while establishing a distinctive technological approach that would define rapid diagnostics for generations.

Cepheid developed the GeneXpert system, a revolutionary point-of-care molecular diagnostics platform that could perform complex molecular testing at the point of care. The system gained significant adoption in hospitals, clinics, and remote healthcare settings. This innovative platform demonstrated Cepheid's exceptional ability to create diagnostic solutions that could serve specific healthcare needs while establishing a competitive advantage in the molecular diagnostics market.

Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Cepheid expanded its product portfolio to include tests for infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, HIV, and other pathogens. The company became particularly known for its rapid tuberculosis testing capabilities. This period of expansion demonstrated Cepheid's ability to innovate within its diagnostic category while maintaining consistent technological leadership and quality standards that would define the brand for decades.

In 2016, Danaher acquired Cepheid for $4.3 billion, recognizing the strategic value of rapid molecular diagnostics. This acquisition significantly strengthened Danaher's diagnostics portfolio. This strategic acquisition demonstrated Danaher's exceptional ability to identify and acquire diagnostic companies with strong technological capabilities while providing the resources necessary for continued growth and innovation.

Under Danaher ownership, Cepheid has continued to expand its testing capabilities, including development of COVID-19 diagnostics that became widely used during the pandemic. This continued innovation demonstrates Cepheid's ability to respond to emerging healthcare challenges while maintaining its core technological excellence and diagnostic leadership in the rapidly evolving molecular diagnostics market.