TIB Molbiol excels in ultra-rapid assay development for emerging infectious disease, strongly demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic
Roche Diagnostics administration and R&D buildings. (Credit: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.)
Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced it has completed its share purchase agreement to acquire 100 percent of the outstanding shares of TIB Molbiol Group. TIB Molbiol will continue to operate as a subsidiary within the Diagnostics division. Roche and TIB Molbiol will build on their capabilities for the rapid development of assays for emerging pathogens and potential health threats, such as infectious diseases.
With over 45 CE-IVD assays and more than a 100 research-use-only assays joining the Roche family, the companies will jointly accelerate access for patients around the world to even more clinically important diagnostic tests. TIB Molbiol will further expand Roche’s molecular diagnostics solutions, especially for the flexible open platforms LightCycler PCR and MagNA Pure sample preparation systems.
The two companies have collaborated for more than 20 years to rapidly address critical healthcare needs including biological threats, such as SARS, anthrax, avian influenza virus H5N1, MERS, the novel influenza virus H1N1 swine, Ebola virus, Zika virus and most recently, SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants. For example, in 2001 with anthrax and 2003 with SARS-CoV1, TIB Molbiol demonstrated their ability to develop PCR assays for the detection of new pathogens within days.
“I am very pleased that together with TIB Molbiol, we can significantly improve access for patients to a broader spectrum of diagnostic tests – from high volume routine tests to the diagnosis of rare diseases. TIB Molbiol will continue to be an innovation engine and frontrunner in our common fight against infectious diseases, such as SARS-CoV-2”, said Thomas Schinecker, CEO Roche Diagnostics. “TIB Molbiol has helped to shape the future of PCR infectious disease testing, and will continue to drive cutting-edge research so we can bring better healthcare outcomes to patients faster.”
Source: Company Press Release