The world’s largest biotech company Roche has acquired the Danish medtech company OBI Medical.
OBI Medical focuses on developing disruptive blood gas testing technology and is a market leader in implementing the so-called v-TAC method into clinical practice.
v-TAC is a digital diagnostics solution that allows clinicians to obtain arterial blood gas values from patients with respiratory or metabolic abnormalities via a simpler, less painful and less invasive venous puncture through the use of a digital algorithm. The analysis provides clinicians with information that is essential for making a diagnosis, provide treatment and monitor progress.
A traditional blood gas test requires the collection of an arterial blood sample, which can be a painful experience for the patient since most arteries lie deeper in the tissue than veins and have a thicker wall to be punctured.
Blood gas analysis is typically used in hospital settings where quick and accurate results are needed. This includes emergency rooms, intensive care units and operating rooms.
Following the acquisition of OBI Medical, Roche has introduced the Roche v-TAC diagnostic solution which, in the current COVID-19 pandemic, could help simplify the screening, diagnosis and monitoring of patients with respiratory compromise, thereby helping healthcare professionals assess disease severity and accelerate the delivery of care.
OBI Medical was founded in 2002 by a group of leading scientists, researchers and clinicians from Aalborg University Hospital and from the Centre for Model-based Medical Decision Support at Aalborg University.
Roche is the world’s largest biotech company and a global leader in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. The company is active in more than 100 countries and employs 98,000 people worldwide.
Accura advised Roche in connection with the acquisition of OBI Medical.