Roche announced that Hitachi High-Tech and Roche have extended their partnership, committing to at least 10 years of additional collaboration. Bringing together the companies’ expertise and track record in diagnostics innovation, engineering and manufacturing, the renewed contract further strengthens the two companies’ long lasting partnership.
Together, the companies have delivered significant innovations that paved the way for industry-leading in-vitro diagnostic solutions. From revolutionising the clinical lab with the world’s first multi-channel analyser, to the automation of immunology, the collaboration has led to groundbreaking innovations that have enabled labs and healthcare systems to overcome delivery challenges and get patients the care they need.
“I am delighted that with this new agreement, Roche and Hitachi High-Tech can continue to push the boundaries of medical technology and transform patient care”, commented Palani Kumaresan, Head of Roche Diagnostic Solutions. “Together, we have built an unrivalled installed base of more than 84,000 diagnostic platforms around the globe. This brings both speed and scale to testing for our customers, helping them to better serve patients’ needs.”
“Hitachi High-Tech and Roche have worked together to expand in the field of in-vitro diagnostics by boldly pursuing innovations. The renewal of this agreement demonstrates both companies’ commitment to the future of the global diagnostics market. We look forward to continuing to work together to further expand the utility of in-vitro diagnostics in healthcare,” said Taku Sakazume, Executive Officer, Head of Diagnostic System Business, Hitachi High-Tech Corporation.
Today, more than 21 billion tests are performed on Roche systems covered under this collaboration every year, a number that is expected to continue to grow with this new agreement. The scale and reach of existing operations allow the rapid delivery of new tests and new technologies across the world. At the same time, automated processes reduce the need for manual intervention, increasing efficiency, accuracy and reliability.
Later this year, Roche and Hitachi High-Tech plan to introduce exciting new innovations including the new analytical units cobas® c 703 and cobas® ISE neo for cobas® pro integrated solutions, to increase potential testing capacity for labs and provide accurate and timely diagnosis for millions of patients around the world. By the end of the year, the introduction of the new cobas® Mass Spec solution will mark another exciting milestone by integrating fully-automated mass spectrometry into the routine lab. This will make this gold standard technology available to more people around the world across various clinical applications.
Innovations like these are redefining how and where diagnostics are delivered, and helping to improve sustainability and resilience in health systems worldwide. The renewed partnership reinforces the shared vision of Roche and Hitachi High-Tech to continue exploring new technologies that can deliver much needed efficiencies in labs, support clinicians in their decision-making, and enable people to access the rapid and reliable diagnostics they need to live longer, healthier lives.