Quantalife spun out of the Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL). The critical technology is high-speed, low-cost polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. Applications include clinical diagnostics (i.e., identification of bacteria or viruses in samples from human or animal tissue and fluids), biodefense (very rapid identification of bacteria or viruses in environmental samples), and biochemical research (where PCR is used to generate large diverse populations or bacteria or microbes in very short periods of time).

Paladin believes the company’s innovative PCR technology and expertise in micro fluidics will lead to the development of rapid, accurate in vitro diagnostic products. Quantalife’s technology will enable satellite offices, hospitals, and laboratories to rapidly detect biological attacks, viruses, diseases, and pandemics by identifying specific DNA sequences rather than guessing from symptoms.

Quantalife was acquired by Bio-Rad in October of 2011.