Ambry Acquires Florida Lab Software Firm

California-based molecular laboratory Ambry Genetics has acquired Progeny Software for an undisclosed sum. The Florida-based Progeny has created and distributes several software platforms, including a genotype data management system and a configurable inventory and sample tracking system. The companies had similar client lists and a deal was worked out not long after Ambry CEO Charles Dunlop and Progeny CEO Michael Brammer met for the first time, the companies said. Ambry performs a variety of molecular tests for cancer and cardiology, as well as exome and genetic panels. “The scientist and genetic counselor in me nearly jumped out of my skin thinking of all the ways we can improve the testing process, results interpretation, and patient follow-up with this partnership. This will be incredibly valuable not just for hereditary cancer testing, but for all specialties we focus on at Ambry,” said product manager and genetic counselor Carin Espenschied in a statement. Brammer will remain CEO of Progeny, which will operate as a subsidiary of Ambry. “I wouldn’t have made this deal with anyone but Ambry Genetics. Everything they do is for the betterment of the genetics community as a whole and they’ve shown that for the 15 years I’ve been watching them. We’ve tried to behave similarly at Progeny. Joining forces just made too much sense,” he said in a statement. Takeaway: Ambry Genetics has engaged in a transaction intended to make it into a complete genetics services company.