-- Roche will leverage Signature's unique expertise in both
biobanks and NGS assays to develop novel diagnostics for
cancer patients
PLEASANTON, California, Feb.
9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY)
announced today the acquisition of Signature Diagnostics AG
(Signature), a privately held company based in Potsdam,
Germany. Signature is a
translational oncology and genomics company that develops large
blood plasma and tissue biobanks in multiple cancers, including
colorectal and lung, which are constructed from multicenter
prospective clinical studies. Signature uses the samples from
its biobanks along with accompanying clinical progression and
genetic data to develop and validate circulating cell free DNA
(cfDNA) tests1 which have the potential to
advance non-invasive treatment response monitoring for
patients with cancer.
"Biobanks play an important role in uncovering the cause or
origin of disease such as cancer which is important in
translational research and the development of personalized
therapies for patients," said Roland
Diggelmann, COO, Roche Diagnostics. "Signature represents a
unique bridge between high value cancer biobanks and NGS assay
development. Roche plans to leverage Signature's expertise in
both of these areas to accelerate the development of targeted
NGS-based diagnostics in the future. Biobanks can also be used for
biomarker discovery and hypothesis testing with Pharma."
"We are very pleased Roche recognizes the importance of
high-quality longitudinal cancer biobanks for the development of
novel NGS-based diagnostics," says Andre
Rosenthal, Ph.D. and CEO of Signature. "Joining forces with
Roche is very exciting as it will allow us to further develop our
NGS assays for sequencing tests using cfDNA which may advance the
development of non-invasive treatment response monitoring for
cancer patients."
Signature will be integrated into Roche Sequencing Unit and will
continue to focus on expanding its innovative genomic signature
portfolio.
About Signature
Signature Diagnostics AG is a translational oncology and genomics
company based in Potsdam, Germany. Founded in 2004, Signature
develops large tumor tissue and plasma biobanks in multiple
cancers, including colorectal and lung cancer in the framework of
large multicenter prospective clinical studies. A key aspect of the
translational oncology work is Signature's biobanks with
longitudinal plasma samples from cancer patients. The company also
develops several next generation sequencing (NGS) assays using
targeted gene panels1. Signature has expertise in
developing ultra-deep sequencing tests utilizing cfDNA, which may
advance the development of non-invasive treatment
response monitoring for cancer patients.
1Signature products are For Research Use Only. Not
for use in diagnostic procedures.
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel,
Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused
healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and
diagnostics. Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with
truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious
diseases, ophthalmology and neuroscience. Roche is also the world
leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics,
and a frontrunner in diabetes management. Roche's personalised
healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostics
that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life
and survival of patients. Founded in 1896, Roche has been making
important contributions to global health for more than a century.
Twenty-four medicines developed by Roche are included in the World
Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them
life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and chemotherapy.
In 2014, the Roche Group employed 88,500 people worldwide,
invested 8.9 billion Swiss francs in
R&D and posted sales of 47.5 billion
Swiss francs. 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 roche.com.
All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected
by law.
Roche Sequencing Media Relations
Jacquie Bucher
Head of Corporate Communications
Phone: +1 520.468.9145
Email: mailto:jacquie.bucher@ventana.roche.com
