Roche Launches AmpliChip for Clinical Applications

Description And Advantages

ROCHE has launched the AmpliChip CYP450 microarray in the U.S.,the company's first microarray for clinical applications. The product enables clinical diagnostic laboratories to identify certain naturally occurring variation (called polymorphisms) in two genes, the CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, which play a major role in drug metabolism. These variation affect the rate at which an individual metabolizes many drugs used to treat cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, depression, ADHD, and more.Knowledge of these variation, when considered with other contributing factor, can help a physician select the best drug and set the right dose for a patient sooner, as well as avoid drugs that may cause the patient to suffer serious adverse reaction. Roche expects the AmpliChip CYP450 microarray-based assay to generate annual revenues of above 100 million US-Dollar by 2008.

"The launch of the AmpliChip CYP450 microarray represents an important milestone in Roche's development of the individualized medicine market," said Heino von Prondzynski, member of Roche Executive Committee and head of Roche Diagnostics. "Microarray technology, a logical enhancement to our patented PCR technology, is enabling Roche to develop novel diagnostic products that will help physician's move beyond a 'one size fits all' approach to medicine. We remain committed to being the first company to fully develop and commercialize this exciting technology for clinical applications".

"The launch of this product heralds the emergence of pharmacogenetics as a medical and commercial reality," said Stephen P.A Fodor, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Affymetrix. "This product, the first of many to come from the Roche and Affymetrix partnership, is a testament to the power of our manufacturing technology to enable new solution for improved diagnosis and patient care".

Source : Pharmabiz, July 03, 2003