Genentech and Roche

The recent news that Roche are looking to purchase the remaining shares in Genentech has certainly caused a a big stir in the Pharma industry.

One of the main reasons the partnership blossomed was because Roche left Genentech largely alone and they had very clear marketing distinctions with Genentech responsible for the US and Roche handling the rest of the world.

The two cultures are very different with a conservative Swiss company versus a dynamic US biotech, so it will be interesting to see what happens. If the deal goes ahead, the big question is will Roche continue to leave them alone, or will it change the relationship?

This looks a good deal for Roche on paper, but if I were Genentech, I'd probably be a little nervous; will the creativity and dynamism go down the pan if it become more integrated with a big Pharma company?

Time will tell on both fronts.

Roche Helps Catch Tour de France Cheater

I loved this story posted in Pharmalot today.

The company's scientists cooperated with the doping authorities by cleverly adding an extra innocuous molecule in their long acting EPO product, Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator (CERA). This would then be traceable in the blood tests taken during the Tour de France.

Image via WikipediaYou could see where the cyclists were going - if the drug was released more slowly into the body, they might escape detection while still gaining the benefits. Little did they know that effectively they were taking a marked product and the authorities would have incontrovertible proof of cheating.

Nice one!

What do you think? I'd love to see the makers of regular EPO (Amgen, Johnson and Johnson) and steroids follow suit - it's a simple but elegant solution that does not harm the users who do need benefit for legitimate means.

Is this an example of science and sport in perfect harmony, or not? Should we have more of it or is it an infringement on your rights?


News Sources:

Bloomberg
CNN