# Life Technologies

> Life Technologies was the biotechnology-tools company created by the 2008 merger of Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems. Thermo Fisher Scientific acquired it in 2014, but the portfolio remains active through brands including Invitrogen, Gibco, Applied Biosystems and Ion Torrent. Together they sell the instruments, reagents, assays, cell-culture media, software and support that researchers, biopharma teams, clinical laboratories, forensic analysts and applied-science organizations use to turn biological samples into reproducible measurements.

- **Founded:** 2008
- **Headquarters:** Waltham, United States (Thermo Fisher Scientific); formerly Carlsbad, United States
- **Team size:** Approximately 10,000 employees at December 31, 2012; Life Technologies is now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific
- **Products:** Invitrogen reagents and instruments, Gibco cell-culture systems, Applied Biosystems genetic analysis, Ion Torrent sequencing, TaqMan assays
- **Notable:** Formed a biotechnology-tools company with approximately $3.5 billion in historical annual sales through the 2008 merger of Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems., Inherited Applied Biosystems technology used by Human Genome Project sequencing centers., Acquired Ion Torrent in 2010 and commercialized semiconductor sequencing that detects DNA incorporation electrically rather than optically.

## Products & services

- **Invitrogen reagents and instruments** — Antibodies, nucleic-acid purification, cloning, transfection, protein analysis, fluorescent labeling and benchtop instruments used in molecular and cell biology.
- **Gibco cell-culture systems** — Media, sera, supplements and workflow products for growing research and production cell lines.
- **Applied Biosystems genetic analysis** — Real-time PCR, digital PCR, Sanger sequencing, fragment analysis, microarrays and related assays, software and consumables.
- **Ion Torrent sequencing** — Semiconductor-based next-generation sequencing systems, chips, panels and software for targeted genomics and clinical research workflows.
- **TaqMan assays** — Pre-designed and custom probe-based assays and master mixes for gene expression, genotyping and other PCR applications.
- **GeneArt synthetic biology** — Gene synthesis, gene fragments, cloning and genome-editing products and services.
- **Custom and technical services** — Instrument service, validation, calibration, training, custom assays, primers, media modification and application support.

## Achievements

- Formed a biotechnology-tools company with approximately $3.5 billion in historical annual sales through the 2008 merger of Invitrogen and Applied Biosystems.
- Inherited Applied Biosystems technology used by Human Genome Project sequencing centers.
- Acquired Ion Torrent in 2010 and commercialized semiconductor sequencing that detects DNA incorporation electrically rather than optically.
- Launched nearly 145 products representing about 740 new SKUs in 2012.
- Reported 2012 revenue of $3.7985 billion and invested $341.9 million in research and development.
- Built a commercial presence in more than 180 countries with over 1,000 customer-site supply centers by the end of 2012.
- Acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific for approximately $13.6 billion in 2014, plus net debt assumed at closing.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Thermo Fisher reported the launch of the Applied Biosystems PowerFlex Thermal Cycler, extending the genetic-analysis brand with a next-generation PCR system.
- **—** — Thermo Fisher said sales of Applied Biosystems 3500 Series research-use genetic analyzers will end after December 31, 2026, with service and consumables planned through 2033.
- **2025-12** — Thermo Fisher highlighted the Oncomine Comprehensive Assay Plus on the Ion Torrent Genexus System in its review of 2025 scientific progress.
- **2025-04** — Ion Torrent Genexus Software 6.8.4 release notes documented ongoing maintenance of the automated sequencing platform.
- **2014-02** — Thermo Fisher completed its acquisition of Life Technologies and created a Life Sciences Solutions reporting segment.

## Links

- Website: https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/brands/life-technologies.html
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/life_technologies
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/lifetech
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thermofisher/videos
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thermofisherscientific/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeTechnologies

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Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-11