Roche has secured regulatory approval to complete its acquisition of Kapa Biosystems to expand next-generation sequencing product offerings.
The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction.
US-based Kapa Biosystem supplies life science reagents that employs technologies to optimize enzymes for next-generation sequencing (NGS), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR applications.
The company offers a portfolio of products featuring novel enzymes that have significant performance advantages when compared to traditional wild-type enzymes.
Several global scientists use Kapa’s products, which are cited in over 4,000 peer-reviewed publications.
Based in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Kapa is developing new solutions that speed up genomics research that can impact the future ability to diagnose, monitor and treat cancer as well as complex inherited and infectious diseases.
The company has a research, development and manufacturing facility in Cape Town, South Africa.
Roche Tissue Diagnostics and Sequencing Solutions head Dan Zabrowski said: "The completion of this acquisition represents significant advancement in Roche’s commitment to develop a differentiated NGS portfolio that will provide our customers with a complete genetic testing solution.
"Combining Kapa’s proprietary protein engineering technology and impressive portfolio of NGS reagents with Roche’s offerings and expertise adds to an already robust portfolio of NGS target enrichment products."
Kapa Biosystems co-founder and chief technology officer Trey Foskett said: "This partnership will accelerate our ability to pioneer new technologies and expand our product portfolio, with the ultimate goal of improving healthcare through more personalized medicine."
Image: Roche Diagnostics Design Center, Mannheim. Photo: courtesy of F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.