Roche agrees deal to acquire Ariosa Diagnostics

Roche has agreed a deal to purchase Ariosa Diagnostics, a molecular diagnostics testing service provider based in California.

The transaction, which is expected to close this month, will allow Roche to enter the non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) and cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing services markets for the first time.

Ariosa's portfolio includes the proprietary Harmony Prenatal Test, which evaluates foetal cfDNA found in maternal blood to assess the risk of Down syndrome and other genetic abnormalities. It has been trialled in studies involving more than 22,000 women of all ages and risk categories.

The takeover will also strengthen Roche's position in the important personalised healthcare market.

Roland Diggelmann, chief operating officer of Roche's diagnostics division, said: "Circulating cfDNA has the promise of providing early diagnostic information through a simple blood test in many important segments including pregnancy, cancer and transplantation."

The company has also agreed deals to acquire InterMune, Santaris Pharma, Seragon Pharmaceuticals and Genia Technologies this year.