On May 2, 2022, Nicoya Lifesciences, a global leader in digital proteomics solutions, acquired LSK Technologies, a University of Toronto startup, to decentralize laboratory testing with LSK’s high-throughput lab-in-a-box platform. The acquisition aimed to meet the increasing demand for versatile testing solutions amid the latest wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections, enhancing access and affordability of laboratory-quality testing.

Since receiving over $2 million in federal funding in 2021, Nicoya has advanced its viral detection technology, integrating digital microfluidic (DMF) and nanoplasmonic biosensor technology into a portable antigen testing device. The inclusion of LSK’s amplification technology broadened Nicoya’s platform across various diagnostic applications, maintaining affordability and ease of use.

“This acquisition is a natural progression for both organizations as we aim to disrupt the molecular detection and diagnostics space with our next-generation technologies,” stated Ryan Denomme, CEO and co-founder of Nicoya. The merger provided a significant opportunity to bolster Nicoya's foundation in point-of-need testing.

LSK, founded in 2016 by Seray Çiçek and Yuxiu (Livia) Guo for Zika virus detection, scaled its technology to address a broader range of viral detection tests with support from various incubators and accelerators. The LSK team, including Çiçek and Guo, joined Nicoya to further develop Nicoya’s DMF-based platform, maintaining support for existing LSK customers and rebranding LSK products under Nicoya.

Fasken advised LSK, while Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP advised Nicoya Lifesciences.