Roche launches new exome and custom KAPA Target Enrichment portfolio for translational and clinical research applications in sequencing

PLEASANTON, Calif., May 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Roche RO ROG)RHHBY today announced the launch of the new KAPA Target Enrichment portfolio, consisting of both exome and custom target enrichment solutions for sequencing. KAPA HyperExome is a whole exome research panel with significantly improved performance over the existing on-market SeqCap portfolio and other products on the market. In addition to the Target Enrichment portfolio, Roche is also launching the new HyperDesign tool that enables researchers to create custom target enrichment designs that utilize the new KAPA HyperChoice probes. The probes are paired with a streamlined, automatable workflow.

Every step of the next-generation sequencing sample prep process has the potential to impact results. KAPA Target Enrichment portfolio provides the high level of performance and consistency that is needed to empower clinical researchers to process more samples successfully while optimizing sequencing efficiency. These new target enrichment products, along with the KAPA library prep portfolio, provide researchers with a streamlined and fully automatable sample preparation workflow which decreases hands-on and turnaround time.

"Next-generation sequencing samples are precious, as samples often can only be collected once," said Neil Gunn, Head of Roche Sequencing Solutions. "We are pleased to bring an upgraded target enrichment solution to our customers that will increase sequencing efficiency and provide researchers greater confidence in their results. This helps pave the way for the future of personalized healthcare for patients."

About KAPA Sample Prep Reagents Portfolio

The KAPA Sample Prep Reagents Portfolio provides tools to unlock the potential in every sample by offering solutions for difficult sample types and challenging applications, enabling the most accurate sequencing results. The KAPA portfolio, originally for NGS library preparation, now encompasses off-the-shelf and custom Target Enrichment probes and consumables to provide a single vendor service and support for all sample prep reagents for researchers.

The new KAPA HyperExome, KAPA HyperChoice and KAPA HyperExplore probes replace the SeqCap product portfolio that will be discontinued. Roche will continue to support its use through the first quarter of 2022.

The KAPA HyperExome targets the GRCh38/hg38 genome assembly and covers the CCDS, RefSeq, Ensembl, Gencode and ClinVar genomic databases in an efficient ~43 Mb capture target size. 

In 2007, Roche acquired NimbleGen, which was among the first biotech companies to launch microarrays and hybridization probes (SeqCap Portfolio) for target enrichment. The SeqCap product line has played an important role in countless experiments over the years through its exomes, fixed and custom probes for DNA, RNA and epigenetics.

About Roche

Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.

Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.

Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the eleventh consecutive year, Roche has been recognised as one of the most sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2019 employed about 98,000 people worldwide. In 2019, Roche invested CHF 11.7 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 61.5 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

KAPA, SEQCAP, HYPERDESIGN, HYPERCHOICE, HYPEREXOME and HYPEREXPLORE are trademarks of Roche. Other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For further information

Elizabeth Baxter

Roche Molecular Solutions Media Relations

925.523.8812

elizabeth.baxter@roche.com

diagnostics.roche.com

sequencing.roche.com

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SOURCE Roche Sequencing Solutions