Roche's outrageous comments.

pmiguel · 03-06-2012, 09:16 AM

If you are following Roche's attempt to take over Illumina, GenomeWeb has posted a new article that includes the comment:

Quote:

Roche Chairman Franz Humer today said that the firm has "other options" if its bid to acquire Illumina fails.

and this one:

Quote:

"Illumina is not the only gene sequencing company, and there are other companies making quantum leaps in this field. Roche is also working on gene sequencing technologies of its own."

No kidding?!? It is called the GS-FLX! Why not pump that $5.7 billion into that platform instead of attempting to acquire a competitor! Instead of just letting it wither, like you are doing now...

--
Phillip

mediator · 03-06-2012, 09:49 AM

Because it is more profitable and less risk to acquire an existing technology than develop a new one.

flxlex · 03-07-2012, 04:26 AM

Apparently, they do have some new technology that they are working on in-house...

DaleYuzuki · 03-08-2012, 09:19 AM

Great point Phillip - it was a $140M acquisition of 454 way back in 2007, and it makes you wonder what they got out of all that money.

I've heard they have launched some MDx products based upon FLX/Jr, but actions do speak loudly (as well as $5.7B).

Dale

RCJK · 03-08-2012, 03:57 PM

It was mentioned in a Roche talk late last year that they are working on some sort of "molecular ratchet" technology. There was an image of what the guy was referring too as well. I'm not sure if this is what they're working with IBM on or not. Regardless, I'm sure it's years away from being any sort of commercial platform.

scbaker · 03-08-2012, 07:57 PM

They haven't said too much about their progress, but we've summarized what little there is here: http://blueseq.com/knowledgebank/eme...s/ibmroche454/

Basically, they're creating a solid state nanopore called a "DNA Transistor" by using layers of alternating materials which will allow for precise control of the speed (and direction) of molecules traveling through the pore. My guess is this is a few years away from commercialization (if ever).

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03-06-2012, 09:49 AM	#2
mediator Member Location: New England Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 27	Because it is more profitable and less risk to acquire an existing technology than develop a new one.

03-07-2012, 04:26 AM	#3
flxlex Moderator Location: Oslo, Norway Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 415	Apparently, they do have some new technology that they are working on in-house...

03-08-2012, 09:19 AM	#4
DaleYuzuki Member Location: Maryland USA Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 12	Great point Phillip - it was a $140M acquisition of 454 way back in 2007, and it makes you wonder what they got out of all that money. I've heard they have launched some MDx products based upon FLX/Jr, but actions do speak loudly (as well as $5.7B). Dale

03-08-2012, 03:57 PM	#5
RCJK Senior Member Location: Australia Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 155	It was mentioned in a Roche talk late last year that they are working on some sort of "molecular ratchet" technology. There was an image of what the guy was referring too as well. I'm not sure if this is what they're working with IBM on or not. Regardless, I'm sure it's years away from being any sort of commercial platform.

03-08-2012, 07:57 PM	#6
scbaker Shawn Baker Location: San Diego Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 84	They haven't said too much about their progress, but we've summarized what little there is here: http://blueseq.com/knowledgebank/eme...s/ibmroche454/ Basically, they're creating a solid state nanopore called a "DNA Transistor" by using layers of alternating materials which will allow for precise control of the speed (and direction) of molecules traveling through the pore. My guess is this is a few years away from commercialization (if ever).