10x Genomics
A U.S. life-science technology company that develops instruments, reagents, software, and workflows for single-cell and spatial omics research.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
10x Genomics is an American life-science technology company focused on tools for single-cell analysis and spatial omics. Founded in 2012 by Serge Saxonov, Ben Hindson, and Kevin Ness, the company developed technologies intended to increase the scale and information content of genomic experiments while preserving biological detail at the level of individual cells or tissue location. Its products are designed primarily for scientific research rather than direct clinical diagnosis and are used by academic laboratories, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, medical research institutions, and other life-science organizations. The company’s technology portfolio combines microfluidics, molecular barcoding, sequencing-compatible chemistry, imaging, tissue-processing methods, instruments, and computational software. Its Chromium family supports high-throughput single-cell and single-nucleus workflows, including gene-expression profiling, immune-cell receptor analysis, chromatin-accessibility studies, and other multiomic applications. These systems allow researchers to characterize heterogeneous cell populations and identify molecular differences that may be obscured in bulk measurements. 10x Genomics also operates in spatial biology. The Visium family is designed to measure molecular features while retaining their position within tissue sections, enabling researchers to relate gene-expression patterns to tissue architecture. The Xenium platform provides high-resolution in situ analysis using imaging and molecular detection to localize selected RNA targets and other signals within intact tissue. Together, these product lines support research in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, developmental biology, pathology, infectious disease, and drug discovery. The company expanded its capabilities through acquisitions in epigenetics and spatial genomics. In 2018 it acquired Epinomics, which worked on technologies for epigenetic research, and Spatial Transcriptomics, a company associated with spatial genomics. These transactions helped broaden 10x Genomics from a single-cell technology supplier into a more extensive platform business spanning single-cell, spatial, and multiomic research. 10x Genomics sells instruments, reagent kits, consumables, software, and related services through international commercial operations and life-science distribution channels. It became a publicly traded company on Nasdaq under the ticker TXG after announcing its initial public offering in 2019. Its competitive position rests on integrated workflows, proprietary chemistry, instrument compatibility, software ecosystems, and adoption across research communities. The company continues to develop applications that connect molecular measurements with cellular identity, tissue organization, and biological function.
History
10x Genomics was established in 2012 by Serge Saxonov, Ben Hindson, and Kevin Ness. The founders had previously worked together at QuantaLife, a company acquired by Bio-Rad in 2011. Saxonov had also been an early technical leader and research-and-development director at 23andMe. The new company set out to develop laboratory technologies that could make cellular biology experiments more scalable and information-rich. Its initial direction centered on microfluidics and molecular barcoding. These techniques allow biological material to be partitioned into small reaction environments and tagged with identifiers that enable sequencing data to be assigned back to individual cells or molecular compartments. The approach helped establish 10x Genomics as a significant supplier of single-cell research technologies. Rather than treating a tissue or sample as one blended population, the company’s workflows enabled researchers to study gene expression and other molecular properties across many individual cells. The product portfolio subsequently expanded beyond core single-cell gene-expression applications. Chromium workflows were developed for applications including immune-receptor profiling, chromatin accessibility, and other forms of single-cell or single-nucleus analysis. The company added instruments, consumables, software, and supporting workflows, creating a more integrated commercial platform for research laboratories. In 2018, 10x Genomics acquired Epinomics, a biotechnology company focused on epigenetics research. Later that year it acquired Spatial Transcriptomics, expanding into spatial genomics. Spatial methods preserve information about where molecular signals occur within tissue, complementing single-cell approaches that provide detailed molecular profiles but may not inherently retain tissue location. The company also announced plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Pleasanton, California. The company entered public markets after announcing its initial public offering in September 2019. Its Nasdaq ticker is TXG. The public listing provided a broader capital base as 10x Genomics continued developing instruments, reagents, software, and applications for single-cell and spatial research. The company’s legal history includes disputes connected to intellectual property and the origins of its technology. Bio-Rad brought an arbitration claim in 2014 against the three founders, asserting that they had obligations arising from the acquisition of QuantaLife. An arbitrator rejected Bio-Rad’s claims in 2015. Separately, a Delaware jury found in 2018 that 10x Genomics had infringed several University of Chicago patents exclusively licensed to Bio-Rad and awarded damages together with a royalty obligation. 10x Genomics appealed, but the verdict was upheld in 2020. In 2021, the companies settled outstanding litigation in American federal and international courts through an agreement that included cross-licensing rights for certain single-cell-analysis patents. Today, 10x Genomics operates across single-cell genomics, spatial transcriptomics, in situ analysis, epigenomics, and related computational workflows. Its customers use the platforms in cancer biology, immunology, neuroscience, developmental research, infectious-disease studies, translational research, and pharmaceutical discovery. The company’s broader strategy is to connect molecular measurements with cellular identity and tissue organization, allowing researchers to investigate complex biological systems at increasingly fine resolution.
- 2025Partnership with Arc Institute
10x Genomics announces collaboration with Arc Institute on a virtual cell atlas and virtual cell competition.
- 202110x Genomics and Bio-Rad settle litigation
The companies resolve outstanding lawsuits and establish reciprocal licensing rights for certain single-cell-analysis patents.
- 2020Patent decision upheld on appeal
The Bio-Rad-related patent judgment is upheld after appeal.
- 2019Initial public offering announced
10x Genomics announces its initial public offering and prepares to trade on Nasdaq under TXG.
- 2018Epinomics acquisition
10x Genomics acquires Epinomics to expand its epigenetics-related technology capabilities.
- 2018Spatial Transcriptomics acquisition
The company acquires Spatial Transcriptomics and broadens its platform into spatial genomics.
- 2018Pleasanton manufacturing expansion announced
10x Genomics announces plans for a manufacturing facility in Pleasanton, California.
- 2018Bio-Rad patent verdict
A Delaware jury finds infringement of several University of Chicago patents exclusively licensed to Bio-Rad.
- 2015Founders prevail in arbitration
An arbitrator rejects Bio-Rad’s claims that the founders breached obligations owed after the QuantaLife acquisition.
- 2014Bio-Rad arbitration begins
Bio-Rad brings an arbitration claim concerning alleged obligations of the three founders after Bio-Rad’s acquisition of QuantaLife.
- 201210x Genomics is founded
Serge Saxonov, Ben Hindson, and Kevin Ness establish the company to develop advanced technologies for cellular biology research.
Products and positioning
An integrated platform provider for single-cell genomics, spatial biology, and related life-science research workflows.
ChromiumSingle-cell and single-nucleus analysis
Chromium is the company’s principal single-cell analysis family. Its microfluidic workflows partition cells or nuclei and apply molecular barcodes so sequencing reads can be associated with their biological source. Applications include single-cell gene-expression profiling, immune-cell receptor sequencing, chromatin-accessibility analysis, and other multiomic experiments. The platform is used to examine cellular heterogeneity in research areas such as oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and developmental biology.
VisiumSpatial transcriptomics
Visium is a spatial transcriptomics product family designed to measure molecular features while retaining their position within tissue sections. It enables researchers to compare gene-expression patterns with tissue structure and anatomical regions, providing a spatial layer that complements dissociated single-cell analysis. Visium workflows are used in studies of tumors, organs, developmental systems, brain tissue, and other complex biological specimens.
XeniumIn situ spatial biology
Xenium is a high-resolution in situ analysis platform for detecting and spatially localizing selected molecular targets within tissue. By combining imaging with molecular detection, it supports analysis of cell types, tissue architecture, cellular neighborhoods, and disease-associated changes without removing the targets from their original tissue context. The platform is positioned for detailed spatial biology research in oncology, neuroscience, immunology, and tissue biology.
Epigenomics workflowsEpigenetics and chromatin analysis
10x Genomics’ epigenomics-related capabilities support investigation of chromatin accessibility and other regulatory features at single-cell or single-nucleus resolution. These workflows help researchers study how regulatory states differ among cell populations and how those states relate to development, disease, immune responses, and cellular identity.
Flagship businesses
- Chromium
- Visium
- Xenium
Marketing campaigns
- 2025Arc Institute virtual cell collaboration
Global life-science research
10x Genomics partnered with Arc Institute to support work associated with a virtual cell atlas and virtual cell competition, extending the company’s research ecosystem toward computational representations of cellular biology.
Outcome. Partnership announced; longer-term outcomes were not specified in the supplied reference material.
Brand decisions
- 2021Settle Bio-Rad patent litigationOther
The companies had been involved in patent disputes concerning single-cell analysis technologies across U.S. and international courts.
What changed. 10x Genomics and Bio-Rad settled the outstanding lawsuits and agreed to license certain patents to one another.
Aftermath. The settlement resolved the referenced litigation; the settlement amount was not disclosed in the supplied material.
- 2019Become a publicly traded companyStrategy
10x Genomics sought public-market access to support continued development of instruments, reagents, software, and research applications.
What changed. The company announced its initial public offering and listed on Nasdaq under TXG.
Aftermath. 10x Genomics became a publicly traded life-science-tools company.
- 2018Acquire EpinomicsM&A
The company sought to broaden its technology base beyond core single-cell applications into epigenetics research.
What changed. 10x Genomics announced the acquisition of Epinomics.
Aftermath. The transaction expanded the company’s capabilities in epigenetics-related research workflows.
- 2018Acquire Spatial TranscriptomicsM&A
10x Genomics pursued spatial genomics capabilities to complement its single-cell technology portfolio.
What changed. The company acquired Spatial Transcriptomics.
Aftermath. The acquisition supported the company’s expansion into spatial transcriptomics and spatial biology.
Leadership
| Name | Title | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Justin McAnear | Chief Financial Officerformer | 2018– |
| Ben Hindson | Co-founderformer | 2012– |
| Kevin Ness | Co-founderformer | 2012–2016 |
| Serge Saxonov | Co-founderformer | 2012– |
Recent events
- 202510x Genomics partners with Arc Institute
10x Genomics announced a partnership with Arc Institute to support Arc’s virtual cell atlas and virtual cell competition.
OtherCampaign - 202110x Genomics and Bio-Rad settle patent disputes
The companies settled outstanding litigation in the United States and other jurisdictions and agreed to cross-license certain patents related to single-cell analysis.
LawsuitOther - 201910x Genomics announces initial public offering
The company announced its initial public offering and began the process of becoming a Nasdaq-listed public company under the ticker TXG.
Other - 201810x Genomics announces acquisition of Epinomics
The company announced its first acquisition, buying Epinomics to expand capabilities in epigenetics research.
M&A - 201810x Genomics acquires Spatial Transcriptomics
The acquisition expanded the company’s activities into spatial genomics and tissue-resolved molecular analysis.
M&A - 201810x Genomics announces Pleasanton manufacturing expansion
The company announced plans to open a manufacturing facility in Pleasanton, California, supporting future production capacity.
Other
Sources
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