Roche ($RHHBY) designated Aiea, HI's Diagnostic Laboratory Services a Molecular Center of Excellence for the next 5 years, granting the lab its latest diagnostic technology.
According to a release, the tools will include Roche's cobas CT/NG v2.0 Test, a qualitative in vitro diagnostic for detection of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections. The designation is awarded to noncompeting regional laboratories and enables collaboration on molecular testing to improve test methods and technology.
"Roche is very pleased to welcome Diagnostic Laboratory Services into the Molecular Center of Excellence alliance," said Roche Diagnostics Senior Vice President Whitney Green, in a statement. "We value their expertise, especially in areas like microbiology and pathology, and look forward to working together to implement molecular technologies for the advancement of personalized medicine."
Diagnostic Laboratory Services is the 33rd lab in the U.S. to achieve recognition as a Molecular Center of Excellence. "Our physicians and patients will all benefit from the advanced molecular technologies that Roche's Center of Excellence concentrates on," said Richard Okazaki, the CEO of Diagnostic Laboratory Services, in a statement. "We are very pleased to be part of this strategic partnership."
The move comes on the heels of FDA approval of Roche's companion diagnostic as a guide to treatment of non-small cell lung cancer using Pfizer's ($PFE) Xalkori.
Also in June, Roche announced that it received FDA 510(k) clearance for the cobas HSV 1 and 2 Test to differentiate between the two causes of genital herpes infections, giving Diagnostic Laboratory Services and other customers another diagnostic option. It will be conducted on the cobas 4800 System for real-time polymerase chain reaction amplification and detection.
Earlier this year Roche cemented its commitment to diagnostics by taking a majority stake in Foundation Medicine, in a deal valued at $1.2 billion.
- read the release