10x Genomics Acquires Scale Biosciences to Expand Single-Cell Analysis Capabilities
Key Insights
10x Genomics (search) announced the acquisition of Scale Biosciences (search) to integrate innovative combinatorial indexing and quantum barcoding technologies into its Chromium platform.
The acquisition aims to make single-cell analysis more powerful, affordable, and accessible to researchers worldwide while supporting analysis of millions of cells and hundreds of samples.
Scale's scientific founders from Stanford University and University of Washington will join 10x as advisors to accelerate the development of scalable single-cell technologies.
10x Genomics (search), a leader in single cell and spatial biology, has announced the acquisition of Scale Biosciences (search), a pioneer in scalable single-cell analysis technologies. The acquisition, announced on August 7, 2025, provides 10x with key inventions and technologies that will advance innovation across the company's Chromium platform while making single-cell analysis more accessible to researchers globally.
Strategic Technology Integration
Scale Biosciences (search) brings unique expertise in combinatorial indexing and quantum barcoding, representing key advancements in scalable single-cell analysis. These technologies enable the analysis of millions of cells and the multiplexing of hundreds of samples, allowing scientists to gather comprehensive datasets that reveal intricate biological systems.
"At 10x, we're relentlessly innovating to build a world where single cell analysis is routine, accessible, and scalable at levels previously unimaginable," said Serge Saxonov, CEO of 10x Genomics (search). "This acquisition is a step towards that vision – reflecting our commitment to accelerating adoption of single cell technologies."
Scientific Leadership Joins Advisory Team
Scale Biosciences (search) was founded by a multidisciplinary team of scientists and technologists with expertise in next generation sequencing, genomics, and bioinformatics. All of Scale's scientific founders are joining 10x as advisors, including Professor Garry Nolan at Stanford University, Professors Jay Shendure and Cole Trapnell at University of Washington, and Frank Steemers.
"These inventions were designed to make single cell analysis dramatically more scalable and accessible," said Garry Nolan, PhD, co-founder of Scale Biosciences (search) and Professor at Stanford University. "They have already advanced biological discovery, and with 10x's innovation engine, that impact will only accelerate. This integration will help the research community generate the high-quality data needed to drive AI-powered breakthroughs in medicine."
Expanding Market Access and Innovation
The acquisition supports 10x's ambitious multi-year product roadmap for single-cell innovation, aiming to dramatically scale both the number of cells and samples that can be analyzed while preserving the rich, high-quality multiomic data that researchers expect from 10x platforms.
Giovanna Prout, President and CEO of Scale Biosciences (search), emphasized the broader impact: "We are incredibly proud of what we've built at Scale and its impact advancing biological understanding in single cell analysis. Our integration with 10x will accelerate the adoption of our technology, helping it reach new customers and transformative emerging applications."
Continued Support for Research Community
10x Genomics (search) will maintain support for current Scale customers with ongoing experiments and continue key initiatives including the 100 Million Cell Challenge and the Billion Cells Project. Additionally, key Scale products will remain available in the market during the integration process.
The acquisition positions 10x Genomics (search) to strengthen its competitive edge in the rapidly growing single-cell analysis market, with the combined technologies expected to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and foster collaboration in biological discovery research.