Roche and RiNA of Berlin have agreed to transfer the complete Roche Applied Science RTS Protein Expression portfolio to RiNA, effective from 15 September 2009.
RiNA will contribute its experience in the field of cell-free expression systems and continue production at the same quality standards defined by Roche.
Hamburg company 5 Prime will be responsible for sales, support and distribution of the RTS portfolio worldwide.
Leo Tristram, chief executive officer of RiNA, said: 'The RTS cell-free expression kits ideally complement the RiNA product portfolio and its dedicated customer-specific service for cell-free biosynthesis.
'Together with 5 Prime products for purifying and detecting recombinant proteins, RTS technology will form a strong basis for joint development of innovative products in this dynamic field.' Bernd Haase, chief executive officer of 5 Prime, said: 'This agreement allows us to address the attractive market for cell-free protein expression with a well established product line.
'RTS products are renowned for overcoming a key bottleneck in functional proteomics - limited access to pure proteins.
'The unique technology underlying RTS kits generates high protein yields and will serve as a cornerstone of 5 Prime's proteomics line.'
