Roche acquires biotech company

Switzerland-based pharmaceuticals company Roche has announced that it has acquired Germany and California-based biotechnology firm Therapeutic Human Polyclonals (THP).

The deal, which cost Roche $56.5 million (28.6 million pounds), sees the Swiss firm acquire 100 per cent of THP, with Roche believing the “innovative antibody research” company will form an important part of the company’s research focus.

“We are delighted about this acquisition as it builds on our strength in therapeutic antibodies,” said Jonathan Knowles, head of global research.

“THP and its employees will add cutting-edge capabilities and represent an excellent strategic fit with our own R&D [research and development] organisation.”

Roche now sees the future for THP as lying firmly in its Pharma Centre of Excellence for Protein Research in Penzberg, Germany, where it will be fully incorporated into the research and development set up.

THP’s acquisition by Roche sees the Swiss company, which was formed in 1896, add to its already existing 74,000 staff in 150 countries worldwide.

Roche recently announced that its oral treatment for stomach cancer, Xeloda, has been approved by the European commission. Roche said that the news would be “welcomed” by both patients and physicians and that it reduces time in hospital by as much as 80 per cent.