Roche's outrageous comments.

[pmiguel]

If you are following Roche's attempt to take over Illumina, GenomeWeb has posted a new article that includes the comment:

Roche Chairman Franz Humer today said that the firm has "other options" if its bid to acquire Illumina fails.

and this one:

"Illumina is not the only gene sequencing company, and there are other companies making quantum leaps in this field. Roche is also working on gene sequencing technologies of its own."

No kidding?!? It is called the GS-FLX! Why not pump that $5.7 billion into that platform instead of attempting to acquire a competitor! Instead of just letting it wither, like you are doing now...

--
Phillip

[mediator]

Because it is more profitable and less risk to acquire an existing technology than develop a new one.

[flxlex]

Apparently, they do have some new technology that they are working on in-house...

[DaleYuzuki]

Great point Phillip - it was a $140M acquisition of 454 way back in 2007, and it makes you wonder what they got out of all that money.

I've heard they have launched some MDx products based upon FLX/Jr, but actions do speak loudly (as well as $5.7B).

Dale

[RCJK]

It was mentioned in a Roche talk late last year that they are working on some sort of "molecular ratchet" technology. There was an image of what the guy was referring too as well. I'm not sure if this is what they're working with IBM on or not. Regardless, I'm sure it's years away from being any sort of commercial platform.

[scbaker]

They haven't said too much about their progress, but we've summarized what little there is here: http://blueseq.com/knowledgebank/eme...s/ibmroche454/

Basically, they're creating a solid state nanopore called a "DNA Transistor" by using layers of alternating materials which will allow for precise control of the speed (and direction) of molecules traveling through the pore. My guess is this is a few years away from commercialization (if ever).