In 2023, healthcare technology veteran Kristen Knox was named Chief Executive Officer of biological services company Microbiologics. In 2024, she made her biggest mark on the company to date.
That’s when Microbiologics acquired SensID, a German molecular diagnostics company—its first acquisition outside of the United States. It represented a significant milestone for the Saint Cloud, Minnesota-based business and for Knox, whose C-Suite history goes back nearly a decade. “This partnership isn’t just about expanding our capabilities,” she said of the SensID deal, “it’s about bringing together two organizations who are deeply passionate about advancing the future of diagnostics.”
In that case, it takes one to know one. Knox’s career in healthcare goes back nearly 25 years, with the University of St. Thomas and Cardinal Stritch University graduate having previously served as the CEO for life sciences company Data Services International from 2016 to 2018. After a stint at ACIST Medical Systems, she joined Microbiologics, where her experience made her the right choice to replace 14-year veteran Brad Goskowicz in 2023.
Pat Edeburn, Co-Founder and Operating Partner of Microbiologics’ majority owner, Granite Partners, said Knox was the right fit for the job “not only because of her experience and accomplishments in the medical device industry, but also because of her passion for building culture and purpose-driven principles,” a message that Knox herself echoed. “I am deeply inspired and motivated by making a positive impact on human lives,” she said, “and I strongly believe in the power of science.”
With the SensID deal, Microbiologics now operates in Minnesota, Michigan, California, Kentucky, and Germany to produce retail and custom infectious disease reference materials and provide contract research services for life-science laboratories, manufacturers, and suppliers. Founded in 1971 as Environmental Protection Laboratories, the company continues innovating apace in its sixth decade, led by a core principle serving as a mission statement: “We create confidence in science.” And Knox creates confidence in the company to do just that.
