Roche to Acquire GenMark Diagnostics for $1.8B

Roche and GenMark Diagnostics entered a merger agreement for Roche to acquire GenMark at a price of $1.8 billion. GenMark and Roche have unanimously approved the agreement. Once the acquisition is completed, GenMark’s principal operations will continue at its current location in Carlsbad, Calif.
 
GenMark’s syndromic panel testing portfolio complements Roche’s current molecular diagnostics portfolio and the Roche global network will expand the reach of GenMark’s products. GenMark’s ePlex system drives lab efficiency through streamlined order-to-reporting workflow and enables better patient outcomes by rapidly diagnosing a patient’s symptoms.
 
“Acquiring GenMark Diagnostics will broaden our molecular diagnostics portfolio to include solutions that can provide lifesaving information quickly to patients and their healthcare providers in the fight against infectious diseases,” Thomas Schinecker, CEO Roche Diagnostics told the press. “Their proven expertise in syndromic panel testing provides faster targeted therapeutic intervention, resulting in improved patient outcomes and reduced hospital stays, and will contribute to Roche’s commitment to helping control infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance. The rapid identification of bloodstream infections and the detection of antimicrobial resistance genes are more essential than ever for hospitals and their patients.”
 
“As a part of Roche, we can accelerate our mission to enable rapid diagnosis of infectious disease to improve patient outcomes. Together with Roche’s diagnostics healthcare solutions, we will be able to provide a full suite of molecular diagnostic solutions to customers around the world,” said Scott Mendel, CEO of GenMark Diagnostics.  “We are thrilled to become a part of Roche and are confident that this is the right path forward for GenMark and our customers.”
 
GenMark’s Respiratory Pathogen Panels identify the most common viral and bacterial organisms associated with upper respiratory infection, including SARS-CoV-2, complementing Roche’s extensive portfolio of COVID-19 diagnostics solutions.
 
The transaction is expected to close in the 2nd quarter of 2021.