Bob Purcell
888-545-2443
Pleasanton, California
January 26, 2015
New test detects MRSA and SA, the leading causes of healthcare-associated infections worldwide
Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided 510(k) clearance for the cobas® MRSA/SA Test for the early, simultaneous detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (SA) directly from nasal specimens. The cobas® MRSA/SA Test detects both organisms from a single specimen, providing accurate and reliable results for effective prevention and control of MRSA/SA infections.
The cobas® MRSA/SA Test, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay that runs on the automated cobas® 4800 System, offers labs the most simplified workflow available with a simple de-cap and loading of the primary sample vial onto the cobas® 4800 System. This approach requires less hands-on-time, enabling laboratory staff to spend time on other critical tasks. In addition, this streamlined workflow can help labs reduce costs and improve turnaround time.
About methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA)
Approximately one-third of the population carries Staphylococcus aureus as normal flora in the anterior nares, which can lead to opportunistic infections. Staphylococcus aureus has evolved resistance mechanisms due to frequent exposure to antibiotics in healthcare settings. Recent reports show up to 85% of invasive MRSA infections identified as healthcare-associated, resulting in over 90,000 infections and 18,000 deaths in 2005 alone.1 Surgical site infections, ventilator-assisted pneumonia, and bloodstream infections attributed to colonized central lines are the most frequent manifestations of a disease. Active surveillance to identify carriers is helping to mitigate the potential consequences of the disease, providing relief to patients and healthcare institutions facing the challenges of escalating costs.
About the cobas®4800 System
The cobas® 4800 System offers true walk-away automation of nucleic acid purification, PCR set-up, and real-time PCR amplification and detection to help laboratories achieve maximum efficiency. The expanding system menu in the U.S. currently includes the cobas® CT/NG Test (chlamydia/gonorrhea), cobas® HPV Test, cobas® BRAF V600 Mutation Test and cobas® EGFR Mutation Test.
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 vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner 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 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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Bob Purcell
888-545-2443