Roche is partnering with Technoclone on the co-development of a range of coagulation assays. Technoclone is a reagent specialist in thrombosis and cardiovascular diagnostics. Roche says the collaboration will support its plan to develop a new line of analyzers marketed under the Cobas® brand for central coagulation laboratories. The firm projects introducing new instrumentation in the U.S. and Canada in 2014.
“The expansion of the reagent menu into key areas of hemostasis will greatly enhance the new line of laboratory coagulation analyzers in development and will open up new opportunities for research related to targeted treatment and personalized healthcare,” comments Randy Pritchard, vp for marketing at Roche Diagnostics.
The new deal with Technoclone follows on from last month’s announcement that Roche was buying platelet-function test specialist Verum Diagnostica for €11 million. At the time Roche said the acquisition will allow it to provide a comprehensive coagulation portfolio, ranging from self-monitoring applications to products for hospital and commercial laboratories.
According to the Swiss drug giant, laboratory coagulation is estimated to be the fifth largest market in professional diagnostics worldwide. It was worth some $1.4 billion in sales during 2010 and has a projected annual growth rate of 5.1% over the next five years.