Press Release« Back to Press Releases
Roche Acquires BioImagene, a Leading Provider of Digital Pathology Laboratory Solutions
Basel, 23 August 2010
Acquisition further strengthens Roche's global leadership in tissue-based cancer diagnostics and
research
Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that it has signed an agreement under which
Ventana Medical Systems Inc., a member of the Roche Group, will acquire 100 percent of BioImagene, Inc., a
privately held company based in Sunnyvale, California. The purchase price is approximately 100 million US
dollars on a debt-free basis. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to
close in the coming weeks.
BioImagene is an innovative leader in the field of digital pathology workflow and analysis. Digital pathology
is a suite of dynamic, image-based technologies that enable image capture, information management, image
analysis and virtual sharing of patients' tissue samples on glass slides.
"As part of the personalised healthcare approach, pathologists are increasingly involved in generating
information with high impact on treatment decisions," said Daniel O'Day, COO Roche Diagnostics. "The
increasing complexity of new tests and technologies creates tremendous need for more sophisticated tools for
tissue analysis and diagnosis. BioImagene products will complement and strengthen our current offering in
image analysis and information management."
"With its leadership position in pathology and its global reach, Ventana is the ideal partner for BioImagene,"
commented Ajit Singh, CEO of BioImagene, Inc. "Ventana is already a leader in image analysis for breast
cancer applications and has a wide range of market-leading diagnostics products used in hospitals and
laboratories worldwide. In turn, BioImagene brings to Ventana additional capabilities for scanning and
analysing tissue that are not possible in the glass-slide world."
BioImagene's products create high-resolution, whole-slide digital images from glass microscope slides. They
also provide the software to view, analyze and manage tissue images using a computer, taking pathology
beyond traditional microscope applications. In addition, their products improve workflow efficiency in
image archiving and retrieval, remote case review, and turnaround time.
"Through this acquisition, Ventana is uniquely positioned to improve laboratory efficiency and help
pathologists improve patient care," said Hany Massarany, President of Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. "Our
VIAS Image Analysis System was the first entry into the digital pathology market and is now the leading
system for automated image analysis in breast cancer. With BioImagene's current and future products we
will be able to deliver an end-to-end solution from automated staining to comprehensive patient reports."
About BioImagene, Inc.
BioImagene (http://www.bioimagene.com) is a leading provider of innovative and scalable digital pathology
solutions. The company's total digital pathology solution is comprised of the Virtuoso™ digital pathology
application software, iScan™ family of automated digital slide scanners, and a rich menu of Companion
Algorithms™. BioImagene's innovative product line includes a unique image viewing input device called the
iSlide™, and a high-performance pathology workstation called Crescendo™.
About Ventana Medical Systems, Inc./ Roche Tissue Diagnostics
Ventana develops, manufactures, and markets instrument/reagent systems that automate tissue preparation
and slide staining in clinical histology and drug discovery laboratories worldwide. The Company's clinical
systems are important tools used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Ventana
drug discovery systems are used to accelerate the discovery of new drug targets and evaluate the safety of new
drug compounds. In addition, the Company offers premier workflow solutions designed to improve
laboratory efficiency, providing safeguards to enhance the quality of healthcare. Ventana is a wholly owned
member of the Roche Group. For more information on Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. visit
www.ventanamed.com.
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined
strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world's largest biotech company with truly
differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world
leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche's
personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible
improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2009, Roche had over 80'000
employees worldwide and invested almost 10 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 49.1
billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a
majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information: www.roche.com.
All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.
Roche Group Media Relations
Phone: +41 -61 688 8888 / e-mail: basel.mediaoffice@roche.com
- Alexander Klauser (Head)
- Claudia Schmitt
- Annette Walz
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd 4070 Basel
Switzerland
Group Communications
Roche Group Media Relations
Tel. +41 61 688 88 88
Fax +41 61 688 27 75
www.roche.com