Roche launches novel system for High-throughput DNA Sequencing

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Roche launches novel system for High-throughput DNA Sequencing

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=31825

Roche today announced the commercial launch of the Genome Sequencer

20 System and reagents. The system's technology will enable

researchers to sequence genomes and long DNA sequences up to 100

times faster than current commercial platforms, and will provide

entry for Roche into the high-growth sequencing research market. The

hallmark of the system is the nanotechnology-based approach to

sequencing invented by the US-based 454 Life Sciences.

" The Genome Sequencer 20 Systems provides a new and promising

foundation for research applications. We are excited to be able to

enter this market and offer the latest innovative technology to

researchers around the world, " stated Heino von Prondzynski, CEO

Division Roche Diagnostics and Member of the Roche Executive

Committee. " The System provides a high-throughput, cost-effective

solution for DNA sequencing, a technology that is the backbone of

genomic research. The Genome Sequencer 20 Systems enables its user to

finish experiments in very short time, thus opening the door to

completely new application fields for sequencing. "

Roche Diagnostics will offer the Genome Sequencer 20 System and

reagents, and 454 Life Sciences will continue to manufacture

instrument systems and reagent kits for Roche Diagnostics, with the

option to transfer the responsibility for reagent manufacturing to

Roche Diagnostics given sufficient sales volume. Roche Diagnostics is

able to distribute 454 Life Sciences' products to all markets, with

the exception of regulated diagnostics. In that area, Roche

Diagnostics maintains an exclusive right to negotiate the extension

of the exclusive distribution agreement into the regulated

diagnostics market during the initial 5-year term.

About the technology

The Genome Sequencer 20 System represents the first commercially

available instrument system to provide a convenient solution for

ultra-high-throughput DNA sequencing. Following a single preparation

step to prepare an entire genome, the compact Genome Sequencer 20

System can sequence at least 20 million bases in one 5-hour run. This

novel technology eliminates the need for large-scale robotics as it

is used in established techniques. An individual can prepare,

sequence, and generate results in days, not months.

The technology performs massively parallel sequencing on a

PicoTiterPlate, employs state-of-the art image processing, and

utilizes unique data analysis to achieve high-quality results.

Additional information about the technology is available on the

Internet at roche-applied-science.com.

About 454 Life Sciences

454 Life Sciences is commercializing novel instrumentation and

services for rapidly and comprehensively conducting high-throughput

nucleotide sequencing, with specific application to sequencing of

whole genomes and ultra-deep sequencing of target genes. Additional

information about 454 Life Sciences is available on the Internet at

http://www.454.com.

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's

leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of

pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a supplier of innovative products

and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and

treatment of diseases, the Group contributes on a broad range of

fronts to improving people's health and quality of life. Roche is a

world leader in diagnostics, the leading supplier of drugs for cancer

and transplantation and a market leader in virology. In 2004 sales by

the Pharmaceuticals Division totalled 21.7 billion Swiss francs,

while the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 7.8 billion Swiss

francs. Roche employs roughly 65,000 people in 150 countries and has

R & D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners,

including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai.

Additional information about the Roche Group is available on the

Internet at http://www.roche.com.