Single Cell Discoveries (SCD), a specialist contract research organisation (CRO) focused on discovery transcriptomics, has completed the acquisition of TATAA Biocenter, a globally recognized leader in qPCR, bioanalytical services and molecular assay development. The combination creates one of Europe’s few specialist CROs able to take a molecular target from discovery to a validated, regulatory-ready result. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Together, the two organisations employ approximately 50 scientists across Utrecht and Gothenburg, supporting pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic customers from discovery through validation and clinical development.
SCD contributes single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, high-throughput RNA sequencing, bioinformatics and multi-omics. TATAA adds qPCR, dPCR, proteomics, RNA and DNA sequencing, and GLP/GCLP-compliant bioanalysis. A target identified by single-cell sequencing can now be confirmed with spatial transcriptomics or proteomics, then developed into a qPCR or RNA-seq assay validated under GCLP or GLP in Gothenburg, without the samples or the data leaving the group. SCD now pairs research-grade innovation with validated workflows suitable for preclinical and clinical use.
“This is a natural fit,” said Mauro Muraro, CEO of Single Cell Discoveries. “Customers kept telling us the same thing: they loved working with us on discovery but had to go elsewhere to validate targets for a clinical programme. TATAA closes that gap. As drug developers consolidate their outsourcing, working with fewer partners across more of the development pathway, this is the right move: the discovery-to-validation handover is one of the points where fragmentation costs sponsors the most time.”
“Scientifically, this offers discovery coupled with rigor,” said Sofia Adolfsson, Scientific Officer of TATAA Biocenter. “SCD’s single-cell and spatial technologies generate exceptional insight, and our GLP/GCLP-compliant qPCR and assay development can now validate those findings, without customers switching providers, protocols, or data formats partway through a program.”
For existing customers, projects, teams, workflows and quality systems continue unchanged, and current contacts remain the point of entry. TATAA will continue to operate from Gothenburg with the same scientists. What is new is the option to extend a programme across both organisations: combined services are available from September 2026.
“Pairing regulated molecular analysis with SCD enables us to better serve clients as they advance towards the clinic, translating the powerful discoveries from single cell and spatial omics into validated biomarker assays,” says Peter Batesko, Lead Director of SCD and Managing Partner of Care Equity, an investment firm specialised in outsourced drug development services which provided growth capital to SCD in 2022. “We are excited to see the teams combine their strengths and continue to build lasting, impactful client partnerships.”
Judith Vivie, COO and Mauro Muraro, CEO will lead the combined organisation. The Gothenburg site will continue to be managed locally, with its scientific and customer-facing teams in place. Together, the two teams will continue to serve academic, biotech and pharma customers across the life sciences.
