Roche buys U.S. gene sequencing tech company Stratos Genomics

ZURICH (Reuters) – Pharmaceutical group Roche has acquired U.S.-based Stratos Genomics to further develop DNA-based sequencing for diagnostic use, it said on Friday.

“The acquisition provides Roche access to Stratos Genomics unique chemistry, Sequencing by Expansion,” the Swiss drug maker said in a statement. “The Roche nanopore sequencer, once developed, will utilise a novel approach that combines electronic and biological components to sequence DNA for fast, flexible and cost-effective clinical diagnostic testing.”

Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

(Reporting by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi; editing by Thomas Seythal)