Roche launches cobas p 480 instrument for high-volume, automated preanalytic processing of primary vial molecular diagnostic samples

-- New system reduces laboratory hands-on time by 50% for liquid based cytology samples, eliminating manual preparation steps and improving workflow efficiency

PLEASANTON, California, Dec. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today the launch of the cobas p 480 preanalytics instrument for automated uncapping and recapping of primary sample vials used for liquid-based cytology (LBC) and molecular assays run on the cobas® 4800 System.  For assays such as the cobas® HPV and cobas® CT/NG 4800 Test, the cobas p 480 instrument provides significant workflow and sample integrity advantages.  By addressing the need to automate sample preparation, the cobas p 480 helps to eliminate manual steps that can lead to repetitive motion injury, a significant area of concern for laboratory workers that handle a large number of samples each day. 

Findings from an independent consulting firm show that when the p480 instrument is part of the workflow process, overall hands-on time for delivering test results from over 700 samples per day is reduced by up to 50%.  Preprocessing steps-- including: vial cap removal, vortexing and barcode quality checks-- are automated, reducing the risk of sample mix-up, cross contamination or user error and ensuring the reliability of test results.  The instrument allows primary vials to be loaded directly onto the cobas® 4800 System without a need to aliquot into a secondary vial.  New caps can be automatically re-placed on the primary vial for storage and post processing.

"For the first time, laboratories now have an option to directly load LBC primary vials for preanalytical and analytical processing through a combination of cobas® systems that support molecular testing," said Paul Brown, Head of Roche Molecular Diagnostics.  "We are proud to bring solutions to our laboratory partners that not only improve the quality of their test results but solutions that can improve the quality of life for their employees as well."

About the cobas® 4800 System
The cobas® 4800 System offers true walk-away automation of nucleic acid purification, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) set-up and real-time PCR amplification and detection to help laboratories achieve maximum efficiency.  The system runs the cobas® HPV Test, cobas® CT/NG Test (chlamydia/gonorrhea), cobas® BRAF V600 Mutation Test and the cobas® EGFR Mutation Test, along with an expanding menu of other molecular diagnostic tests.

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, infectious diseases, inflammation, metabolism and neuroscience. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. Roche's personalized healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2012 Roche had over 82,000 employees worldwide and invested over 8 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 45.5 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

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