PLEASANTON, Calif., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ — Roche Molecular
Systems, Inc. (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) and the German Cancer
Research Center (DKFZ) announced today that they have entered into
a research collaboration to enable more specific prediction of a
woman’s risk for developing cervical cancer.
The collaboration is based on recent DKFZ research indicating
that the relative amounts of specific spliced viral RNA molecules
(i.e., RNA markers) in HPV-infected cells enable highly accurate
discrimination of cervical cancer and high-grade (pre-cancer) from
low-grade cervical lesions.
RMD and DKFZ initiated the three-year collaboration in September
2010. DKFZ is conducting research on Roche proprietary platforms,
facilitating direct transition and application of any relevant
findings to the Roche diagnostics product line.
“DKFZ is among the world’s leading HPV research institutes.
Through this collaboration, we have the opportunity to work with
them to further improve screening and diagnosis of cervical
cancer,” said Paul Brown, Ph.D., president and CEO of Roche
Molecular Diagnostics. “Our hope is that this will ultimately lead
to the development of a new test to make cervical cancer screening,
diagnosis and grading even more accurate and specific.”
“From our previous laboratory results on HPV RNA patterns we
believe that our test system will specifically and reliably detect
women at high risk for cervical cancer. With Roche we have the
great opportunity to work with a strong and experienced development
partner for translating our laboratory results into a valid
diagnostic product from which women will benefit,” said Professor
Lutz Gissmann.
“The ATHENA U.S. registration trial demonstrated clearly the
sensitivity and diagnostic value that HPV DNA testing provides as
compared to cytologic examination with a Pap test,” said Brown. “As
a company, Roche is committed to continuing this type of
groundbreaking HPV research to improve di
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