Genetic Systems

Genetic Systems was a pioneering biotechnology company founded in 1980 in Seattle, Washington, focused on the development of monoclonal antibody-based diagnostics and therapeutics. The company gained significant prominence for its innovative diagnostic tests for sexually transmitted diseases, including Chlamydia and Herpes, marketed under the MicroTrak brand. Genetic Systems was also a leader in the early response to the AIDS crisis, developing some of the first blood-screening tests for HIV-1 and HIV-2. In 1986, the company was acquired by Bristol-Myers for approximately $300 million, which at the time was one of the largest acquisitions in the nascent biotech industry. Following the acquisition, its diagnostic operations were eventually divested to Sanofi and later integrated into Bio-Rad Laboratories.