GATC Biotech

GATC Biotech was a German genomics and biotechnology services company that provided DNA and RNA sequencing, genome analysis, and bioinformatics for academic and industrial customers. Founded in 1990, it initially worked on the commercialization of a nonradioactive sequencing technology platform patented by Prof. Pohl, one of the company's founders. This early technology focus made GATC more than a laboratory service provider: it also developed and supplied sequencing instrumentation, including the GATC 1500 direct blotting electrophoresis system. The company participated in major European genomics initiatives during the formative period of commercial genome research. Its GATC 1500 system was used in the European Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome project. In 1996, GATC began shifting its business model from instrument manufacturing toward contract sequencing and related analytical services. This transition positioned the company to serve customers that needed sequencing capacity without building and operating their own facilities. GATC joined the Gene Alliance in 1998 and contributed to a large-scale analysis project involving Aspergillus niger. The project was funded by DSM in the Netherlands and was completed in 2001. These activities reflected the company's role in industrial as well as academic genomics, with its services supporting research, strain analysis, and broader genome characterization. From 2006 onward, GATC developed a next-generation sequencing business division alongside its established Sanger sequencing operation. It expanded into large-scale and technically diverse projects, including de novo sequencing, human exome sequencing in clinical research settings, and RNA sequencing. In 2011, the company added Europe's first commercially available Pacific Biosciences PacBio RS platform, strengthening its ability to offer long-read sequencing in addition to conventional Sanger and newer short-read next-generation workflows. The company operated specialized facilities in Germany. Its Genome and Diagnostic Centre in Constance focused on next- and third-generation sequencing and housed fully automated next-generation sequencing laboratories certified under ISO 17025. Its Sanger sequencing business was based at the European Custom Sequencing Centre in Cologne. The Cologne site benefited from proximity to Cologne Bonn Cargo as a European logistics hub, which supported the movement of biological samples and sequencing-related materials. GATC also maintained wholly owned subsidiaries in Stockholm, Cambridge, and Marseille, giving it a broader European commercial and service presence. GATC Biotech was acquired by Eurofins Genomics, a business of Eurofins Scientific, in July 2017. The transaction brought GATC's sequencing capabilities and facilities into the Eurofins genomics organization. Following the acquisition and subsequent integration, GATC Biotech is best treated as a former independent company and historical brand rather than an active standalone enterprise. Its principal significance lies in its contribution to the development of commercial sequencing services in Europe and in its progression from proprietary sequencing instrumentation to integrated, multi-platform genomics services.

GATC Biotech was established in 1990 in Germany with an initial emphasis on commercializing a nonradioactive sequencing technology platform patented by Prof. Pohl, one of its founders. During this early period, the company developed technology and instrumentation rather than operating solely as a sequencing contractor. Its direct blotting electrophoresis system, the GATC 1500, was used in the European Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome project, linking the company to one of Europe's important early large-scale genomics programs. A major strategic change occurred in 1996, when GATC began moving from instrument manufacturing toward service delivery in DNA and RNA sequencing. The shift reflected the growing importance of centralized sequencing facilities and allowed customers to commission sequencing projects without purchasing specialized equipment. GATC subsequently expanded its work with both academic and industrial partners. In 1998, the company became part of the Gene Alliance. Through that alliance, GATC participated in a large genome-analysis project focused on Aspergillus niger. The project was funded by DSM of the Netherlands and was completed in 2001. This work illustrated the company's involvement in industrial biotechnology and large-scale microbial genome research. GATC started developing a next-generation sequencing division in 2006. It continued to provide Sanger sequencing while adding newer sequencing approaches for larger and more complex projects. In 2011, the company installed Europe's first commercial PacBio RS platform, giving it an early commercial position in long-read, third-generation sequencing. Its service portfolio included de novo sequencing, human exome sequencing for clinical applications, RNA-Seq, bioinformatics, and broader genome-analysis projects. The company's principal German operations were divided between specialized facilities. The Genome and Diagnostic Centre in Constance served as a base for next- and third-generation sequencing. Its fully automated next-generation sequencing laboratories were certified under ISO 17025. Sanger work was conducted at the European Custom Sequencing Centre in Cologne, where proximity to Cologne Bonn Cargo supported sample logistics. GATC also had wholly owned subsidiaries in Stockholm, Cambridge, and Marseille, extending its service and sales presence across Europe. In July 2017, Eurofins Genomics acquired GATC Biotech. Eurofins Genomics is part of Eurofins Scientific, and the acquisition placed GATC's sequencing assets and operations within that larger genomics network. The acquisition ended GATC's existence as an independent company. Accordingly, the brand's historical development is characterized by three stages: proprietary sequencing technology and instruments, the transition to commercial contract sequencing, and expansion into multi-platform next-generation and third-generation genomics before integration into Eurofins.

1. 2017Acquired by Eurofins Genomics

   Eurofins Genomics acquired GATC Biotech in July, bringing the company into the Eurofins Scientific group.

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2. 2011Commercial PacBio RS platform added

   GATC added Europe's first commercial Pacific Biosciences PacBio RS platform, expanding its capabilities into third-generation sequencing.

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3. 2006Next-generation sequencing division developed

   The company began developing a next-generation sequencing business alongside its established Sanger sequencing activities.

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4. 2001Aspergillus niger project completed

   The large-scale genome-analysis project involving the Gene Alliance was completed.

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5. 1998Joined the Gene Alliance

   GATC became part of the Gene Alliance and participated in a large-scale Aspergillus niger genome-analysis project funded by DSM.

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6. 1996Shift toward sequencing services

   GATC began transforming from an instrument manufacturer into a provider of commercial DNA and RNA sequencing services.

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7. 1990GATC Biotech founded

   The company was established in Germany and initially concentrated on commercializing a nonradioactive sequencing technology platform associated with Prof. Pohl.

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A European contract genomics provider combining Sanger, next-generation, and third-generation sequencing with genome analysis and bioinformatics for academic, industrial, and clinical-research customers.

• Sanger sequencingDNA sequencing service

  GATC's established Sanger sequencing business processed customer DNA samples through its European Custom Sequencing Centre in Cologne. The service supported routine and custom sequencing needs for academic and industrial users and formed the foundation on which the company later built its next-generation sequencing portfolio.

• Next-generation sequencingMassively parallel sequencing service2006

  The next-generation sequencing division, developed from 2006, provided scalable sequencing and analysis for projects ranging from individual samples to large studies. GATC positioned the service alongside bioinformatics and genome-analysis capabilities rather than as a standalone laboratory process.

• Third-generation sequencingLong-read sequencing service2011

  GATC expanded into third-generation sequencing with the addition of a PacBio RS platform in 2011. This capability broadened its offering beyond Sanger and next-generation workflows and supported projects requiring long-read sequencing approaches.

• Genome and Diagnostic CentreGenomics laboratory

  Based at the company's Constance headquarters, the Genome and Diagnostic Centre focused on next- and third-generation sequencing. Its fully automated next-generation sequencing laboratories were certified under ISO 17025.

• European Custom Sequencing CentreSequencing laboratory

  The Cologne-based European Custom Sequencing Centre handled GATC's Sanger sequencing activities. Its location near Cologne Bonn Cargo supported the movement of samples and materials for customers across Europe.

• GATC 1500Sequencing instrument

  The GATC 1500 was a direct blotting electrophoresis system associated with the company's early instrument-manufacturing phase. It was used in the European Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome project before GATC shifted its emphasis toward sequencing services.

• 2017Acquisition by Eurofins GenomicsM&A

  GATC had developed a European network of sequencing facilities and subsidiaries spanning multiple sequencing technologies.

  What changed. Eurofins Genomics acquired GATC Biotech in July 2017.

  Aftermath. GATC became part of Eurofins Scientific through Eurofins Genomics and ceased to operate as an independent standalone company.

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• 2006Expansion into next-generation sequencingStrategy

  GATC's established business was centered on Sanger sequencing, while newer sequencing technologies were becoming increasingly important for large-scale genomics.

  What changed. The company began developing a dedicated next-generation sequencing business division.

  Aftermath. GATC broadened its project scope to include large-scale genome analysis, de novo sequencing, human exome sequencing, and RNA-Seq.

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• 1996Transition from instruments to sequencing servicesStrategy

  GATC had initially concentrated on a proprietary sequencing technology platform and related instrumentation. The company then responded to the expanding demand for outsourced genomics by changing its primary business orientation.

  What changed. GATC developed its commercial DNA and RNA sequencing service business while moving away from an instrument-manufacturer model.

  Aftermath. The transition became the basis for the company's later Sanger, next-generation, third-generation, genome-analysis, and bioinformatics offerings.

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• 2017GATC Biotech acquired by Eurofins Genomics

  Eurofins Genomics, part of Eurofins Scientific, acquired GATC Biotech in July 2017. The transaction incorporated GATC's European sequencing operations and technology capabilities into the Eurofins genomics business.

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1. GATC Biotech