NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Roche today reported that its molecular diagnostics sales were down 1 percent year over year as its Diagnostics Division reported 2 percent growth year over year.
For FY 2013 its MDx sales were CHF 1.61 billion ($1.78 billion), compared to CHF 1.17 billion for FY 2012. However, last year's MDx sales don't include the firm's Applied Science revenues, which were CHF 737 million. That business was integrated into the other parts of its Diagnostics Division in the first half of 2013. At constant exchange rates, its MDx sales were up 2 percent year over year. Roche said that underlying sales growth of the MDx business was 6 percent, excluding sequencing sales.
Roche said in October that it was shuttering its 454 Life Sciences sequencing operations and would phase out the 454 sequencers in mid-2016. The firm has a deal in place with Pacific Biosciences, however, to develop diagnostic products based on PacBio's SMRT technology.
The firm cited strong growth for its human papillomavirus virus molecular tests and oncology companion diagnostics as key contributors during the year. It also expects to launch its next-generation molecular PCR-based system, the cobas 6800/8800, during 2014.
Sales for Roche's Diagnostics Division were up 2 percent at CHF 10.48 billion, compared to CHF 10.27 billion for FY 2012. At constant exchange rates, its sales for the division were up 4 percent year over year.
Overall, Roche Group sales were CHF 46.78 billion for FY 2013, up 3 percent from CHF 45.50 billion in FY 2012, and up 6 percent at constant exchange rates.
Its Pharmaceuticals Division saw 3 percent growth to CHF 36.30 billion from CHF 35.23 billion.