Our History

Founding Story

Historic Bio-Rad Laboratories truck showcasing the company’s early history and legacy in scientific innovation.

Since 1952, Bio-Rad has empowered scientists and clinicians with tools to explore, discover, and improve lives. From life science research to diagnostics, we’ve grown into a trusted global leader driven by innovation and a passion for advancing science. Explore our milestones and see how together we’ve advanced science and improved healthcare. This is our story.

Our History

1952 to 1956

In 1952, David and Alice Schwartz founded Bio-Rad in a small Berkeley,California hut, creating tools like ion exchange resins that set the stage for decades of innovation and discovery in life science.
1957

Bio-Rad is officially incorporated, marking a key milestone in its growth as a company dedicated to advancing science and innovation. The following year, Bio-Rad moves its operation to Richmond,California.
1958

Bio-Rad moves its operation to Richmond, California.
1964

Bio‑Gel™ P Chromatography Media are introduced, giving researchers a precise, reliable way to separate proteins by molecular weight.
1966

Bio-Rad holds its Initial Public Offering and sells 40,000 shares at $3.50 a share. The company opens its first international office in Munich.
1967

Bio-Rad enters clinical diagnostics with the first commercial test to accurately measure the T4 thyroid hormone, giving providers clearer insight into thyroid health. By the early 1970s, new tests for heart disease, lead poisoning, and anemia lead to the creation of our Clinical Diagnostics Group—built to deliver better answers and outcomes for patients.
1972

Electrophoresis-grade chemicals are introduced, giving researchers the consistency they need for reliable protein separation and analysis.
1974

Bio-Rad introduces Aminex™ HPX-87C High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography Columns, which have since become the industry standard for the analysis of carbohydrates, organic acids and bases, and other small organic molecules.
1975

Bio-Rad acquires Environmental Chemical Specialties, expanding its portfolio to include quality control solutions that help laboratories ensure accuracy and reliability in every result.
1980

Bio-Rad is listed on the American Stock Exchange.
1981

Bio-Rad launches Macro-Prep™ Ion ExchangeResin, giving scientists a scalable solution for high-performance protein purification. That same year, Bio-Rad debuts the logo still recognized around the world today.
1982

Bio-Rad launches its hemoglobin A1c test, giving healthcare professionals a powerful tool to monitor diabetes with greater accuracy.
1984

The DIAMAT^® Analyzer System is introduced, bringing automation to HbA1c testing and helping labs streamline diabetes monitoring with greater efficiency and accuracy.
1986

Bio-Rad establishes new offices in Hercules, California—expanding the company's presence to better support scientific and clinical communities.
1987

The Gene Pulser™ System becomes the first commercial tool to introduce genes into cells, giving researchers a powerful new way to study gene function. Today, the Gene Pulser MXcell™ System carries that legacy forward with advanced electroporation for modern molecular biology.
1988

Bio-Rad introduces the CHEF-DR™ II Pulsed-Field Electrophoresis System, enabling researchers to separate large DNA fragments with clarity and precision for advanced genomic analysis.
1989

Bio-Rad acquires Belgium-based Research Separations Laboratories, expanding its chromatography portfolio with high-quality separation materials to support researchers in achieving more precise and reliable results.
1990

Bio-Rad introduces the REMEDi™ Rapid Emergency Diagnostic System, an automated solution that streamlines drug profiling in critical settings. That same year, the Immuno blot HIV test—the first Western blot confirmatory test for HIV antibodies—is introduced, bringing greater confidence to HIV diagnosis.
1991

Bio-Rad introduces precast gels, saving researchers time at the bench by streamlining routine protein and nucleic acid electrophoresis.
1992

Bio-Rad introduces the VARIANT™ Hemoglobin Testing System, providing labs with a reliable solution for screening common hemoglobin disorders like β-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia, with greater speed and accuracy.
1993

Bio-Rad introduces CHT™ Ceramic Hydroxyapatite Media, giving scientists a powerful way to purify biopharmaceuticals with precision. This breakthrough supports the development of life-changing therapies and vaccines for a wide range of diseases.
1997

Bio-Rad launches the Biotechnology Explorer™ Program, bringing hands-on science education to high school and college students and inspiring the next generation of scientists. That same year, our website is introduced, opening wider access to tools, resources, and support worldwide.
1998

Bio-Rad introduces UNITY™ Quality Control data management software, giving clinical labs a smarter way to store, access, and share QC data and documents across teams and locations.
1999

Bio-Rad acquires Pasteur Sanofi Diagnostics in France, expanding our portfolio of solutions for HIV, hepatitis, microbiology, and autoimmunity testing. That same year, we enter the PCR market with the iCycler^® Thermal Cycler, giving researchers a powerful new tool for DNA amplification.
2000

Bio-Rad introduces a diagnostic test for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease), providing a critical tool to help safeguard public health and protect the global food supply.
2003

Norman Schwartz becomes President and CEO as David Schwartz steps down from these roles, continuing to serve as Chairman of the Board. That same year, Bio-Rad launches the D-10™ Hemoglobin Testing System, expanding access to accurate, automated testing for hemoglobin disorders.
2004

Bio-Rad adds the Hematronix quality control line to support greater accuracy in clinical testing and launched the Experion automated electrophoresis system to streamline protein and nucleic acid analysis.
2005

Bio-Rad launches the BioPlex™ 2200 System—the first fully automated, random access multiplex testing platform—enabling labs to deliver multiple results from a single patient sample with greater speed, efficiency, and accuracy.
2006

Bio-Rad launches the ProteOn™ XPR36 Protein Interaction Array System—empowering researchers to detect and quantify up to 36 molecular interactions at once, accelerating insights into protein behavior and function.
2007

Bio-Rad introduces the siLentMer™ Targeted Gene Silencing Technology for advanced gene studies and launched the in2it™ A1c Analyzer, bringing fast, accurate A1c results to the point of care. That same year, founder David Schwartz is honored with the Pittcon Heritage Award for his lasting contributions to science and innovation.
2008

Bio-Rad launches next-generation PCR instruments, including the 1000-series thermal cyclers and CFX real-time PCR systems, giving researchers faster, more precise nucleic acid analysis. We also introduce the Criterion Stain-Free™ Gel Imaging System, enabling protein visualization within minutes. That same year, Bio-Rad stock begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange, marking a major milestone in our growth.
2009

Bio-Rad receives clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for ToRC IgG and HSV-1 and HSV-2 IgG test kits on the BioPlex™ 2200 Multiplex System—expanding diagnostic capabilities with reliable, high-throughput testing from a single patient sample.
2010

Bio-Rad introduces the IH-1000™ Automated Blood Screening System to international markets, helping labs streamline transfusion testing with speed and accuracy. That same year, we launch TGX™ Precast Gels for faster, high-resolution electrophoresis and the TC10™ Automated Cell Counter to simplify and standardize workflows.
2011

Bio-Rad launches the antiphospholipid syndrome IgG, IgM, and IgA test kits for the BioPlex™ 2200 System, advancing autoimmune diagnostics with multiplex precision. That same year, we acquire QuantaLife, adding Droplet Digital™ PCR (ddPCR™) technology to our portfolio and introduce the QX100™ System, setting a new standard for absolute DNA and RNA quantification.
2012

In April, Bio-Rad co-founder David Schwartz passes away at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of scientific innovation, curiosity, and a life long commitment to advancing discovery.
2012

In August, Bio-Rad launches the Digital Biology Center, dedicated to advancing research and diagnostic solutions powered by the company's ddPCR™ technology.
2013

In January, Bio-Rad acquires AbD Serotec, a leading antibody manufacturer —expanding its offerings to support researchers with a broader range of high-quality tools for immunology and cell biology.
2013

Bio-Rad introduces the S3™ Cell Sorter—an automated benchtop solution that simplifies and streamlines cell sorting, making high-performance flow cytometry more accessible to researchers.
2014

Bio-Rad acquires GnuBIO, expanding its genomics capabilities with innovative droplet-based DNA sequencing technology designed to make sequencing faster, more accessible, and cost-effective for researchers.
2015

Bio-Rad launches the IH-500™ System, a fully automated, random-access solution for blood typing and screening. Designed for small and mid-sized transfusion labs running 24/7, it delivers fast, reliable results to keep pace with critical testing needs.
2016

Bio-Rad receives FDA clearance for the IH-1000™ Blood Typing Instrument, along with approvals for a broad range of gel cards and reagents—expanding access to high-throughput, automated blood typing solutions across the U.S. market.
2017

Bio-Rad acquires RainDance Technologies, Inc., gaining a strong portfolio of droplet-based intellectual property and products that support a broad range of biological applications—from life science research to clinical studies.
2018

Bio-Rad launches scATAC-Seq solution for single-cell analysis, receives FDA clearance for IH-Reader 24, a semi-automatic blood typing instrument, and expands global agreement with Abbott for wider access to Bio-Rad’s quality controls.
2019

Bio-Rad acquires Exact Diagnostics to expand its molecular quality controls portfolio. That same year, Bio-Rad gains FDA clearance for the QXDx™ AutoDG ddPCR™ System and QXDx BCR-ABL %IS Kit for monitoring chronic myeloid leukemia, along with the IH-500™ Automated Blood Typing System.
2020

Bio-Rad introduces the QX ONE™ ddPCR™ System for high-volume markets along with the CFX Opus96 and 384 Real-Time PCR Systems. The Platelia™ SARS-CoV-2 Total Ab Assay and SARS-CoV-2 ddPCR Kit receive FDA Emergency Use Authorization.
2021

Bio-Rad launches the PREvalence™ ddPCR™ SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater Quantification Kit and introduces InteliQ™ Controls, a full menu of independent QC reagents. Bio-Rad also acquires Dropworks to advance development of its ddPCR platform.
2022

Bio-Rad introduces Celselect Slides™ Technology to capture circulating tumor cells in liquid biopsies and launches the QX600™ ddPCR™ System for advanced multiplexing. Bio-Rad also acquires Curiosity Diagnostics’ technology for rapid, automated infection detection.
2023

Bio-Rad completes the placement of IH-500™ Immunohematology Systems across South Africa’s National Blood Services and introduces the fully automated IH-500™ NEXT System. Bio-Rad's PCR portfolio expands with new CFX Opus Deepwell Dx and PTC Tempo systems, and the company launches the ddPCR™ MSI Kit for oncology.
2024

Bio-Rad acquires Saber Bio, a droplet technology platform for antibody and T-cell receptor discovery. That same year, Bio-Rad expands its ddPCR™ Portfolio with new kits for drug manufacturing, oncology, and food safety; introduces the ChemiDoc™ Go Imaging System; and launches the ddSEQ™ Single-Cell 3' RNA-Seq Kit.
2025

Bio-Rad invests in Geneoscopy and Oncocyte to advance ddPCR™ in clinical research and testing, acquires digital PCR developer Stilla Technologies, and launches four new ddPCR platforms—including the QX Continuum™ and QX700™ series—expanding applications in oncology, infectious disease, and genetic research.