Roche to Close 454
A Roche spokesperson told IBO that, “The Branford closure will eventually result in a reduction of approximately 100 positions throughout the next three years. Roche is committed to finding socially responsible solutions for the employees affected by these changes.” She also said that the company will continue to provide and develop the NimbleGen sequence capture and target enrichment products. This latest announcement follows Roche’s agreement earlier this month with Pacific Biosciences to utilize its instrument technology for diagnostics sequencing applications (see IBO 10/15/13). Roche purchased 454 in 2007 for $154.9 million (see IBO 3/31/07, 11/15/07). Earlier this year, Roche closed its NimbleGen microarray business (see IBO 4/30/13).
Branford, CT 10/3/13—According to multiple media reports, Roche will close its 454 Life Sciences subsidiary, which provides DNA sequencers. The New Haven Register reported that the company will shut down by the end of 2015. Manufacturing will cease in 2015 and the sequencers will be phased-out by mid-2016, at which time the company will no longer support the instruments. 454 currently has 130 employees. A filing with the state of Connecticut reports that 454 will lay off 31 employees by the end of November. This follows an April filing, disclosing the termination of 60 employees this summer following a reorganization (see IBO 4/30/13).
