Roche Acquires TIB Molbiol to Boost Molecular Diagnostics Profile

Roche recently signed a definitive share purchase agreement to acquire 100 percent of the outstanding shares of TIB Molbiol Group to enhance its molecular diagnostic solutions portfolio.

The acquisition will enhance Roche’s solutions with a wide range of assays for infectious diseases, including the identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants. TIB Molbiol’s portfolio of over 45 CE-IVD assays and more than 100 research assays are currently available on Roche’s LightCycler PCR systems and MagNA Pure sample preparation systems. 

“With this acquisition, we can expand our offering of tests of existing pathogens and our response to emerging pathogens and potential health threats,” Thomas Schinecker, CEO of Roche, said in the announcement.

“At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our collaboration provided the first research-use-only SARS-CoV-2 detection test that was provided in January 2020, only days after the new coronavirus was first sequenced,” Schinecker continued. 

Roche and RBI Molbiol Group have collaborated for over 20 years to quickly address critical healthcare needs, such as biological threats, SARS, anthrax, avian influenza virus H5N1, MERS, H1N1 swine, Ebola virus, Zika virus, and most recently, SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. 

For example, the FDA granted emergency use authorization to Roche’s LightMix Ebola Zaire rRT-PCR Test for patients with signs and symptoms of Ebola Zaire virus infection in 2014. 

TIB Molboil, the test’s manufacturer, also CE marked the test. 

LightMix Ebola Zaire rRT PCR Test is one of the many diagnostic solutions in Roche’s portfolio. Roche Diagnostics focuses on core lab and point-of-care testing, molecular testing, pathology, sequencing, biotech, solution integration and services, and diabetes care. 

Most recently, FDA granted emergency use authorization to Roche’s COVID-19 antibody test, Elecsys. 

Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S measures the level of antibodies to the spike protein of COVID-19, which can uncover whether an individual has already been infected and has developed immunity to the virus.

Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S is the latest addition to Roche’s growing diagnostic profile. 

“We are very happy to join the Roche Group,” Olfert Landt, CEO and founder of TIB Molbiol, said in the recent announcement. 

“We have been collaborating for two decades and have spearheaded innovation in the molecular diagnostics industry as partners. We are looking forward to contributing to the strong network of Roche Diagnostics,” Landt continued.