Roche completes purchase agreement with long-term partner TIB Molbiol to expand PCR-test portfolio in the fight against new infectious diseases

2021-12-01

TIB Molbiol excels in ultra-rapid assay development for emerging infectious disease, strongly demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic
The acquisition enables Roche to further expand the portfolio of currently over 45 CE-IVD assays and more than 100 research use assays on Roche’s LightCycler PCR instruments
TIB Molbiol will continue to focus on the research and development of assays that rapidly address critical healthcare needs including biological threats

Basel, 1 December 2021 - 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.”

About TIB Molbiol
TIB Molbiol is a biotech company that has supplied the global market with reagents for research and medical diagnostics for over 30 years. As manufacturer of custom oligonucleotides the company partnered in the development of molecular diagnostics and built a broad portfolio of diagnostic assays, in particular for inherited genetic as well as somatic mutation testing, quantitative assays for haematology and transplantation medicine. The majority of assays are used to test for infectious diseases. They are available as modular kits, enabling the creation of symptomatic panels by combining assays, including emerging pathogens. To support customers performing human genotyping, TIB Molbiol provides custom made LightSNiP assays for SNP analysis. TIB Molbiol is headquartered in Berlin (Germany) and has local representations in Australia, Colombia, Italy, Spain and the US.

About Roche
Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, as well as growing capabilities in the area of data-driven medical insights help Roche deliver truly personalised healthcare. Roche is working with partners across the healthcare sector to provide the best care for each person.

Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. In recent years, the company has invested in genomic profiling and real-world data partnerships and has become an industry-leading partner for medical insights.

Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the thirteenth consecutive year, Roche has been recognised as one of the most sustainable companies in the pharmaceutical industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2020 employed more than 100,000 people worldwide. In 2020, Roche invested CHF 12.2 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 58.3 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

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