SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO (dpa-AFX) - Swiss drug maker Roche Holding AG (RHHBY) said it has expanded its distribution alliance with the life science business of Darmstadt, Germany-based Merck KgaA (MKGAY.PK), to now include the qPCR and endpoint PCR portfolios from Kapa Biosystems.
Merck KgaA operates as MilliporeSigma in the U.S. and Canada. Kapa Biosystems was previously acquired by Roche in December of 2015.
Roche noted that the agreement will strengthen its existing distribution relationship with Merck KGaA, and allow customers broad access to these products through its distribution channels.
The distribution agreement includes all geographies except the U.S., Japan and Brazil. It does not include Kapa's Next Generation Sequencing or NGS products. The NGS portfolio remains a strong complement to the offering of Roche Sequencing Solutions and will continue to be made available through Roche.
The novel PCR enzymes offered under the distribution agreement have high tolerance to common PCR inhibitors, thereby increasing speed and specific activity, and improving fidelity. These characteristics enable high quality results and improved workflows.
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