Health Care
2015 Leaders in Health Care Awards: Achievement in Medical Technology
By Julia Anderson February 24, 2015
WINNER
NanoString Technologies
Seattle
Since its founding in 2003, Seattle-based NanoString Technologies has been rolling out innovative products used in gene expression analysis and diagnosis. The resulting life science tools show promise in the health care marketplace. The companys personalized genomic medicine is accelerating innovation in patient care by identifying hallmark genetic changes that drive many diseases, including cancer.
NanoString products enable basic research, transitional medicine and in vitro diagnostics. Products use digital molecular bar coding technology invented at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle under the direction of Dr. Leroy Hood. NanoString launched its first commercial instrument system in 2008 and, in 2013, introduced an in vitro diagnostic product for prognosis of early stage breast cancer.
By leveraging the precision, reproducibility and mobility of NanoStrings nCounter Analysis System, the company is empowering local centers to achieve a level of diagnostic clarity only previously available through a central lab.
With worldwide sales gaining traction, NanoString generates nearly 50 percent year-over-year quarterly revenue growth. In 2013, NanoString saw revenue of $31.4 million, up 37 percent from 2012.
SILVER AWARD
BioLife Solutions
Bothell
BioLife Solutions develops, manufactures and markets patented hypothermic storage and cryopreservation media products for cells, tissues and organs. Its biopreservation products are incorporated into more than 130 customer clinical trials of novel cellular therapies and tissue-engineered products.
The companys proprietary HypoThermosol and CyroStor products are used in biobanking repositories that store biological samples for use in research as well as drug discovery and regenerative medicine markets.
With more than 300 customers, BioLife enables significant reduction in cell death levels while extending shelf life and cell yield in comparison to traditional formulations.