Media Release
Basel, 10 May 2004
New
10 year agreement between Roche and Hitachi to become market leader in multibillion dollar immunochemistry
sector
Continued unique partnership will strengthen position and
build on growth
Roche Diagnostics and Hitachi High-Technologies
Corporation, Tokyo, continue their plans to strengthen their position in the immunochemistry market.
The new 10 year collaboration is a further significant step forward into the multibillion Dollar immunochemistry
business based on laboratory automation solutions providing essential medical information to physicians.
This
new agreement follows a very successful 25-years long partnership between the two companies in the area
of automated analytical systems for clinical laboratories. This market, the biggest segment of the in-vitro-diagnostics
market, is estimated to be worth 6.8 billion $US today. Under the terms of the new agreement, Roche
Diagnostics and Hitachi High- Technologies will continue to jointly innovate and develop future laboratory
automation solutions responding to the need to supply fast and reliable patient data.
“The
new agreement marks another important milestone in our successful partnership and we have ensured the
continuity of our collaboration for the next 10 years. We firmly believe that our renewed commitment
will maximize our respective positions in the highly competitive In-Vitro Diagnostics market,” states
Heino von Prondzynski, Head of Roche Diagnostics and a member of Roche’s Corporate Executive Committee.
“We will continue to focus on innovations and new technology concepts to support healthcare professionals
in their efforts to optimize care and help people in urgent need.”
“With
this new contract Hitachi High- Technologies and Roche Diagnostics will continue to enhance the value
of the clinical laboratory in the health care delivery process. We are excited about the opportunities
which lie ahead of us” says Dr. Katsuji Yamashita, Senior Vice President , Executive Officer and General
Manager of Life Science Business Group of Hitachi High-Technologies.
About
Immunochemistry
Valued at 6.8 billion $US today, immunochemistry is the biggest
part of the in-vitro diagnostics market. In the first three months this year Roche Diagnostics has recorded
a significant double digit growth of 24% (27% in CHF) in this market. Immunochemistry assays are based
on an “antigen-antibody” reaction. The presence of specific antigens and / or antibodies in the body
can be a very clear indication of specific diseases or functional disorders, for example Elecsys proBNP
for heart insufficiency. Like a specific key which fits with the respective lock there is a high specificity
of the anti-body and anti-gen reaction thus allowing the use of these molecules as indicators for diseases
or disorders. Roche’s Elecsys system is based on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) technology and has become
a cornerstone in the central laboratory.
About Hitachi
High-Technologies
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
is a global trading company. Hitachi High-Technologies is engaged in developmental and marketing activities
in a broad range of fields that include semiconductor manufacturing, scientific equipment, testing and
evaluation equipment, information systems, semiconductors, and leading-edge materials. Hitachi High-Technologies
has earned a reputation as a “high-tech integrator”.
About
Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading
innovation-driven healthcare groups. Its core businesses are pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche
is number one in the global diagnostics market, the leading supplier of pharmaceuticals for cancer and
a leader in virology and transplantation. As a supplier of products and services for the prevention,
diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people’s
health and quality of life. Roche employs roughly 65’ 000 people in 150 countries. The Group has alliances
and R&D agreements with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and
Chugai.
Additional information
- Roche
Diagnostics: www.roche-diagnostics.com
- Hitachi: www.hitachi.com