Roche Applied Science (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) has signed a worldwide exclusive OEM agreement with IT-IS Life Sciences Ltd for the distribution of the new LightCycler® Nano Instrument, which will complete the company-s portfolio for the low throughput real-time PCR systems market (32-well format, 4x 8-tube strips). Market availability of the new system is planned for mid 2011. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
For more than 10 years, Roche has repeatedly set the standard for real-time PCR competence with the LightCycler® Instrument series and its broad capabilities for RT-PCR assays, analysis software and reagents. The technology is widely used in nucleic acid quantification, gene expression profiling, and detecting genetic variations. The new LightCycler® Nano Instrument is a 32-well format real-time PCR cycler with state of the art functionality and easy-to-use software. Silent and compact, this instrument will be the perfect bench-top companion for laboratory end users performing real-time PCR on a daily basis. The system uses convenient, standard PCR strips and can support all common detection dyes with its full spectrum optics.
“With the LightCycler® Nano Instrument, we now provide a very compact and innovative high performance PCR instrument under a worldwide exclusive agreement”, according to Gerd Haberhausen, Life Cycle Leader qPCR and NA Purification of Roche Applied Science. “The new LightCycler® Nano Instrument delivers proven high quality at an affordable price and expands our qPCR business into a new segment. Customers will love the smart design of the instrument and appreciate the high quality data they can produce with it.”
“We believe that the creative engineering capability of IT-IS and the market leadership position of Roche in real-time PCR are a perfect match for each other. The LightCycler® Nano system will deliver exceptional performance, ease of use, and value due to its highly integrated solid-state design.” said Roderic Fuerst, CEO of IT-IS Life Sciences Ltd.
About IT-IS
Founded in 2004, the IT-IS group consists of IT-IS International Ltd in the UK, and IT-IS Life Science Ltd in Ireland. With capabilities in materials science, optics, electronics, and software, IT-IS focusses on the development of novel bioanalytical systems, bringing these products to market together with strong partners. From contract research to licensing and OEM product development, IT-IS has successfully delivered in the fields of DNA sequencing, real-time PCR, and mass spectroscopy. Having contributed enabling technology to Roche-s existing product portfolio, IT-IS has established itself as a proven partner in the field of PCR.
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, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche-s personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2010, Roche had over 80-000 employees worldwide and invested over 9 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 47.5 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information: www.roche.com.
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