Roche is one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies and a global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. Roche's Hacienda campus is the global headquarters for Roche Molecular Solutions, which includes Molecular Diagnostics Sequencing Solutions and Tissue Diagnostics. Molecular Diagnostics develops and manufactures innovative laboratory diagnostic tests based on Nobel Prize-winning polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. This technology underlies diagnostic tests that allow healthcare providers to select treatment and monitor patient response to therapy or can identify molecular characteristics of a disease.

In late August, the company announced that it is supporting the international response to the mpox global health emergency with its diagnostic tests developed for mpox, formerly known as monkeypox. Mpox, a viral disease that can spread easily between people and from infected animals, was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization on August 14, 2024. Globally, Roche is partnering with governments, healthcare providers and organizations dedicated to combating the mpox outbreak.

“Our commitment to support the global response to mpox began in 2022 when we developed a suite of tests to enable global access to rapid and high-quality PCR testing,” according to Matt Sause, CEO of Roche Diagnostics. “Diagnostics are essential in addressing emerging public health challenges like mpox, as they enable healthcare providers to identify infected patients, devise effective treatment strategies, and take appropriate actions.”

In June, Roche announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had granted Emergency Use Authorization for its cobas liat SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A/B, and RSV nucleic acid test, an automated multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction assay on the cobas liat system. The four-in-one test uses highly sensitive PCR technology that requires only a single nasal-swab sample to provide rapid, accurate qualitative detection and differentiation among four of the most prevalent respiratory viruses for which differential diagnosis can drive appropriate treatment. In just 20 minutes on a compact analyser suitable for most healthcare settings, the test can confirm or rule out infection with SARS-CoV-2, influenza A virus, influenza B virus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

“Diagnostics play a critical role in the fight against respiratory illness,” notes Sause. “We are proud to provide this innovative test to address the significant burden placed on healthcare systems. Now, healthcare professionals will be able to detect and differentiate these respiratory viruses within a single patient visit, enabling improved public health outcomes. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respiratory diseases in the United States reached high levels during the most recent autumn and winter seasons, with SARS-CoV-2 causing the most emergency department visits. Hospitalisations due to respiratory illness place a strain on hospitals and can result in delayed diagnosis and treatment for patients. Introducing rapid multiplex PCR diagnostic tests into near-patient care environments such as emergency departments, urgent care facilities, and physician office labs has the potential to provide swift and precise results, expediting clinical decision-making processes. This approach can help reduce unnecessary antibiotic usage, facilitate targeted treatment strategies, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes and healthcare system efficiency, company officials say. The company was founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland. It became a Hacienda tenant in September 1997. Roche's Hacienda campus is the global headquarters for Roche Molecular Solutions, which includes Molecular Diagnostics Sequencing Solutions and Tissue Diagnostics. Its Hacienda campus hosts more than 1,000 full-time and contract employees, many working in research and development.

For more information about Roche, please visit www.roche.com.