PENZBERG, Germany–TriCore Reference Laboratories of Albuquerque, N.M., reported at a recent user meeting results of their research collaboration with Roche Applied Science (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) in which they evaluated Roche´s new MagNA Pure 96 System for use in nucleic acid purification. The evaluation focused on the Roche system’s ability to process specimens for pathogen testing.

Worldwide launched some weeks ago, the fully automated MagNA Pure 96 System purifies genomic DNA, viral DNA and RNA, or cellular RNA from a broad range of specimen types, processing 96 standard-volume specimens in less than 1 hour. The new instrument requires just a few disposables and prefilled reagents, all of which can be loaded quickly and easily as needed.

“Sensitivity and specificity are mandatory for our Virology and Bacteriology studies,” said Steve Young, PhD, TriCore’s scientific director for Infectious Disease. “Furthermore, we need the high capacity and processing speed this instrument offers to provide rapid responses during peak seasonal testing periods.”

Used by TriCore in conjunction with Roche’s LightCycler® System, the MagNA Pure 96’s high processing capacity is crucial for influenza research and for the detection of seasonal Influenza A and B in respiratory specimens. TriCore´s current research studies target human cases of pandemic H1N1 2009, which is continuing to increase substantially worldwide.

Other applications of the MagNA Pure 96 System at TriCore include research on Group B Streptococcus, a bacterium that causes life-threatening infections in newborns, and on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche’s personalized healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients.

In 2008, Roche had over 80,000 employees worldwide and invested almost 9 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 45.6 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical of Japan. For more information: www.roche.com.

About TriCore Reference Laboratories

With roots that extend back 30 years, Albuquerque, N.M.-based TriCore Reference Laboratories is a not-for-profit, independent, regional medical reference laboratory providing diagnostic testing for patients and their healthcare providers. As a Southwest regional laboratory leader with more than 1,000 employees and 25 patient care centers, TriCore performs a full range of tests — from the routine to the highly esoteric — under the direction of more than 30 pathologists and scientific directors.

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