Illumina nabs Helixis’ gene tech in $105M buyout deal

With an eye on the growing market for genetic lab products, Illumina today unveiled a deal to buy Helixis for up to $105 million. The genetic analysis equipment maker will now gain control of Helixis' real-time polymerase chain reaction system, which can be used to track the efficacy of cancer drugs or provide biologists with a unique insight on DNA activity. Illumina, which is paying $70 million up front and $35 million more based on certain contingencies, has some tough competition in the...