The acquisition will enable Roche to further expand the portfolio with more than 45 CE-IVD assays and more than 100 assays for research

One Citizens Plaza north side. Providence, RI.

Roche to acquire TIB Molbiol. (Credit: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.)

Swiss healthcare company Roche has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100% outstanding shares of TIB Molbiol Group for an undisclosed amount.

The acquisition builds on more than 20 years of collaboration between the two companies, focused on several viral infections, along with recent SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.

It is expected to complete in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to customary conditions.

The transaction is expected to enhance Roche’s portfolio of molecular diagnostics solutions with a wide range of assays for infectious diseases.

It will add TIB Molbiol’s more than 45 CE-IVD assays and 100 research use assays that can be used on Roche’s LightCycler PCR and MagNA Pure sample preparation systems.

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

“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.

“Together, we can further improve patient outcomes with innovative diagnostic solutions that alleviate healthcare costs.”

TIB Molbiol is a biotechnology company, engaged in supplying reagents for research and medical diagnostics in global markets, for more than 30 years.

Based in Berlin, Germany, the custom oligonucleotides manufacturer has a portfolio of diagnostic assays, with the majority of them being used for infectious diseases.

The tests are available as modular kits, enabling the creation of symptomatic panels by combining assays, including emerging pathogens.

The company provides custom made LightSNiP assays for SNP analysis, to support customers performing human genotyping.

TIB Molbiol founder and CEO Olfert Landt said: “We are very happy to join the Roche Group. 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.”