Roche boosts hematology testing with new acquisition

Roche has acquired Boston-based Constitution Medical Investors, which specializes in developing a highly innovative hematology testing system, for an upfront payment of US $220 million. This system is designed to provide faster and more accurate diagnosis of blood-related diseases, such as anemia and leukemia, which therefore is designed to improve patient care.

The Bloodhound technology is the Constitution Medical Investors (CMI)'s fully-automated system in development to increase efficiency and save laboratory space by replacing several workstations with a single unit.

"With this acquisition, we will further strengthen our commitment to hematology and drive towards integrated laboratory solutions with innovative products which deliver medical value to our customers and patients. Patients will benefit from faster and more accurate diagnosis of blood diseases such as anemia and leukemia. We are happy to welcome CMI's employees, a very talented group of people with strong expertise and domain knowledge in the field of hematology, to the Roche Group."

Roland Diggelmann, COO of Roche's Diagnostics.

CMI will now serve as a center of excellence in the field of hematology within Roche Diagnostics. Under terms of the agreement, CMI will also receive milestone payments from Roche, based on achievements.

This acquisition is set to boost Roche's competitive position in the laboratory hematology testing business, which has an estimated global market size of over $2 billion.