908 Devices Acquires TRACE Analytics

908 Devices Inc. and privately-held TRACE Analytics GmbH are now one in the same.

908 Devices has purchased TRACE for $15.3 million (initial cash payment); the deal includes an additional $2 million cash contingent upon the achievement of certain milestones over the next two years.

“The addition of TRACE Analytics enables us to take a measurable step forward in our goal to build a connected and comprehensive bioanalytics platform,” said Dr. Kevin J. Knopp, CEO and co-founder of 908 Devices. “We are excited to have the TRACE Analytics team join us as we work together to meet the needs of our customers with on-line devices that provide actionable insights and enable Bioprocessing 4.0.”
 
Founded in 2003 in Braunschweig, Germany, TRACE Analytics develops on-line aseptic sampling systems and novel biosensors for bioreactor monitoring and control. Its validated technology, in single-use and reusable configurations, is applied in mammalian cell culture and microbial fermentations at all levels of the bioprocess chain, from research and development to large scale production.
 
“Our focus has been to develop robust and easy to maintain devices for bioprocess monitoring and control,” said Dr. Wolfgang Künnecke, founder of TRACE Analytics. “We feel a strong affinity with 908 Devices, and we look forward to working together to develop innovative on-line analyzers.”
 
908 Devices is democratizing laboratory mass spectrometry with simple handheld and desktop devices, addressing critical-to-life applications. The company’s devices are used at the point-of-need to interrogate unknown and invisible materials and provide quick, actionable answers to directly address some of the most critical problems in life sciences research, bioprocessing, pharma / biopharma, forensics and adjacent markets. The Company is headquartered in Boston, where it designs and manufactures innovative products that bring together the power of mass spectrometry, microfluidic separations, software automation and machine learning.