Roche test system receives approval

Roche’s nucleic acid test system has received approval.

Used to screen donated blood for DNA containing hepatitis C RNA, hepatitis B DNA and HIV-1 Group M RNA, the product – named the cobas TaqScreen MPX Test for use on the cobas s 201 system – is a single, automated assay.

The company says the tool is designed to “further increase the safety of blood supplies”, noting it will identify infections earlier than other methods.

Daniel O’Day, head of Roche Molecular Diagnostics – part of Roche Diagnostics – commented: “Our multiplex test has been widely adopted and has demonstrated excellent performance.

He added: “We are pleased to introduce it ? as we continue to further invest in solutions for this critical industry.”

The system that the test runs on was launched in 2006, with the West Nile Virus test also introduced in 2007.

Earlier this month, phase III tests found MabThera slows the progression of early rheumatoid arthritis in patients.

The Image study found patients who took the drug – and had not been treated with methotrexate – had a slower onset of the debilitating condition.

In 2007, Roche group’s group sales grew ten per cent to 46.1 billion Swiss Francs (30.2 billion pounds), with operating profit also up 22 per cent to 14.5 billion Swiss francs.