Article

Shining a light on infectious diseases management

Elevating the lab to meet the rising burden of infectious diseases

Infectious diseases are becoming increasingly difficult to manage. While much healthcare effort is devoted to preventing the spread of disease and associated treatments, less attention is paid to the impact these infections have on the broader healthcare landscape, particularly on laboratories.

It is critically important that laboratories are equipped to handle sudden surges in demand in worst-case scenarios, such as pandemics. However, gaining support for investments in preventative measures has been a historic challenge. Appropriately, the broad socioeconomic impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic sparked the need for a change in preparedness and investment mindset.

The availability of flexible molecular systems and serology solutions, a broad menu of high-quality IVD and open channel assays, a reliable global supply chain, and expert support can position laboratories for success in addressing current and future infectious disease management, while enabling the scalability to react in an outbreak situation.

respiratory diseases

Infectious diseases are becoming increasingly difficult to manage. Everything we do must meet the current and future needs of patients.  While much healthcare effort is devoted to preventing the spread of disease and associated treatments, less attention is paid to the impact these infections have on the broader healthcare landscape, particularly on laboratories.

ID-sepsis

Since 1968, Roche has been committed to delivering innovative diagnostics solutions, with a proud history at the forefront of infectious diseases. From the first real-time PCR instrument to the first compact real-time PCR system for on-demand infectious disease testing at the point of care, we redefined what is possible with automation and infectious disease solutions.

respiratory diseases

It is critically important that laboratories are equipped to handle sudden surges in demand in worst-case scenarios.  With a strong commitment to innovating solutions for infectious diseases, we are always striving to meet our customers’ needs and improve patient care. Everything we do is rooted in science, collaborating with academic institutions, governments, and policymakers around the world to ensure all our solutions are robust, efficient and effective.

respiratory diseases

With a broad menu of high-quality IVD and open channel assay on flexible molecular systems and serology solutions, Roche is committed to partnering for building strong and resilient healthcare ecosystems.

respiratory diseases

Quality, validation, consultancy expert service and support can help position laboratories for success in addressing current and future infectious diseases management, while enabling scalability to react in an emergency situation. 

Together, we can continue to improve public health and the care of patients everywhere. Together, we can fight to eradicate infectious diseases globally.
Respiratory Tract Infection

Respiratory tract infections

Early, accurate pathogen identification—from laboratories to emergency care and point-of-care settings—is crucial to informing effective respiratory tract infection control.

Sexually transmitted diseases

Sexually transmitted infections

  • Curable infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are estimated to affect more than 376 million people annually, while conditions like HIV face new management challenges with the potential overreliance on and limited adherence to pre-exposure treatments2,3
  • Most infected individuals have few or no symptoms, making diagnostic testing critical to detect STIs and inform appropriate patient management4
viral hepatitis infection impacting the liver

Viral hepatitis

More than 300 million people are infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) or the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and 9 out of 10 people living with viral hepatitis are unaware.3 Access to high-quality testing and treatment monitoring are important for managing the burden of this disease.4

Congenital infections

Congenital infections

  • During pregnancy, several pathogens can be vertically transmitted to a fetus or newborn which are linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes or consequences to the child7
  • The newborn period is often the only point at which laboratory testing and follow-up allow confirmation of a congenital infection8
Transfusion transmitted infections

Transfusion-transmitted infections

Blood and plasma donations are a selfless and life-saving gift, coming from over 118.5 million donations globally each year.7 Diagnostics is critical in maintaining a safe blood supply.

transplant transmitted infection impacting the kidney

Transplant transmitted infections

An estimated 139,024 solid organ transplants are performed every year worldwide.8 Reliable diagnostic testing performed pre-or post-transplantation plays a key role in safeguarding the gift of life.

Vector Borne Diseases

Vector-borne disease

Vector-borne diseases are caused by parasites, viruses and bacteria that are transmitted by vectors. They account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases and cause over 700K deaths annually.9 Diagnostics are critical for informing appropriate patient and disease management.

Healthcare associated infections

Healthcare associated infections (HAI)

  • 7-10% of hospitalized patients in developing countries acquire HAIs, and it is the most frequent adverse event in health-care settings worldwide13
  • Molecular and serological diagnostic solutions are becoming critically important for the testing of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in the battle against antibiotic-resistant agents

7-10% of patients in developing countries acquire healthcare associated infections (HAIs), and it is the most frequent adverse event in healthcare settings worldwid10

To complicate these infections, approximately 700,000 people die each year globally of antimicrobial-resistant infections – these types of infections are predicted to be a leading cause of death by 2050.11

Gastrointestinal infections

Gastrointestinal (GI) Infections

Gastrointestinal (GI) Infections cause a significant infectious disease burden worldwide. It is important to understand the cause and its prevalence.

 

Our innovative medicines and diagnostic tests are only meaningful if they reach the people who need them when they need them – no matter where they live.

 

Severin Schwan
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roche Holding AG

Innovative solutions to address the global burden of disease

Across the infectious disease landscape, Roche is committed to meeting the needs of patients, developing best-in-class diagnostic solutions to help laboratories effectively support the needs of their customers and communities.

Roche’s portfolio of solutions spans the entire patient journey, enabling laboratories of all sizes and disciplines to provide reliable results across key clinical areas.

Male technician wearing a lab coat in the laboratory
female technician working in a laboratory

Expertly designed assays

Clinically validated Roche assays had comprehensive studies conducted during development and with external clinical sites. Over the last three decades, Roche has been on the front lines of outbreaks. In 1998, Roche founded the Global Surveillance Program to monitor changes to the HIV genome, but now monitors the genetic sequences of many diseases, ranging from viral pathogens like influenza and hepatitis to bacterial pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The programme remains a vital tool to improve the reliability of our assays and to monitor new and emerging threats so that we’re ready to rapidly respond with innovative solutions as soon as possible.

Decades of experience in setting the standard for infectious disease testing makes Roche the partner of choice for clinical trials around the world. Some Roche assays have even been trusted to define treatment cut-offs for some of the world’s most burdensome diseases.12

Assay Samples In Laboratory
Laboratory instruments on a conveyor belt

A solid global supply chain for confidence in meeting demand

Explore our established infrastructure and efficient logistics that ensure our partners around the world have access to essential machines, reagents and consumables to support local needs.

Bringing unrivaled healthcare expertise to our customers

Meet our global team of experts that are prepared to support labs in whatever they need—from recognizing opportunities to integrate data, resources, and people, to delivering the best possible care at every touch point.

healthcare-consultants
Customer insights from laboratories around the world

As the impact of infectious disease grows, so does Roche’s commitment to solving these unmet needs.

Backed by a proven history of innovation and a vast pipeline of solutions, Roche is enabling laboratories across the globe to better manage this growing challenge with purpose-built products and programs.

References

  1. Roche. Working with suppliers. https://www.roche.com/about/sustainability/suppliers/. Accessed 26 July 2023
  2. World Health Organization. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis). Accessed 26 July 2023
  3. World Hepatitis Alliance. WHA Brief. https://www.worldhepatitisalliance.org/news/global-fund-brief/. Accessed July 15, 2023.
  4. Easterbrook PJ, Roberts T, Sands A, Peeling R. Diagnosis of viral hepatitis. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2017;12(3):302-314. doi:10.1097/COH.0000000000000370
  5. Arora N, Sadovsky Y, Dermody TS, Coyne CB. Microbial Vertical Transmission during Human Pregnancy. Cell Host Microbe. 2017;21(5):561-567. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2017.04.007
  6. Ford-Jones EL. An approach to the diagnosis of congenital infections. Paediatr Child Health. 1999;4(2):109-112. doi:10.1093/pch/4.2.109
  7. World Health Organization. Blood safety and availability. https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/blood-safety-and-availability. Accessed 26 July 2023
  8. Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation. http://www.transplant-observatory.org/. Accessed 26 July 2023
  9. World Health Organization. Vector-borne diseases. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vector-borne-diseases. Accessed 26 July 2023
  10. World Health Organization. Health care-associated infections Fact Sheet. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-burden-of-health-care-associated-infection-worldwide. Accessed July 15, 2023
  11. World Health Organization. New report calls for urgent action to avert antimicrobial resistance crisis. https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/29-04-2019-new-report-calls-for-urgent-action-to-avert-antimicrobial-resistance-crisis. Accessed 26 July 2023
  12. Cloherty G, Chevaliez S, Sarrazin C, et al. Hepatitis C RNA assay differences in results: Potential implications for shortened therapy and determination of Sustained Virologic Response. Sci Rep. 2016;6:35410. doi: 10.1038/srep35410