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Denver-Based UniPath Enters Agreement With Roche Diagnostics to Expand Cutting-Edge Molecular Medical Laboratory Testing

Posted on: Monday, 30 January 2006, 12:00 CST

DENVER, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Denver-based UniPath, a leading regional provider of pathology services, announced that it has signed a five-year strategic alliance agreement with Roche Diagnostics to establish a Molecular Center of Excellence (MCOE), the only such facility to be granted this prestigious designation in the Rocky Mountain Region. As an MCOE, they will perform molecular diagnostic testing using Roche Diagnostics' patented Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), which is more sensitive and more specific than traditional culture-based methods.

UniPath offers a large and varied test menu that includes molecular tests for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Human Papilloma Virus, the virus directly tied to cervical cancer in women. These and other molecular diagnostics tests performed at UniPath help physicians diagnose and monitor diseases of people throughout the Rocky Mountain Region.

"UniPath is very excited about the opportunity to partner with one of the world leaders in molecular diagnostics, and to be selected as an MCOE. We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship that will allow us to provide cutting edge molecular diagnostic testing to our physician clients and their patients," said Dr. Michael Miller, director of UniPath's molecular diagnostics initiatives.

Tricia Hughey, Chief Executive Officer, UniPath, said, "UniPath is pleased to have been chosen by Roche Diagnostics as their strategic partner for this region. Our company's ability to offer Roche's developing medical products supports the next evolutionary step toward Pathology at the Next Level."

As a Roche Diagnostics Molecular Center of Excellence, UniPath will be focusing on molecular testing which enables them to diagnose specific viral and bacterial pathogens, and also brings them the ability to monitor how much pathogen is present in the system, a feature which allows better treatment options.

Using PCR, scientists can take a specimen (such as blood, skin cells, saliva, and hair, to name a few) containing a minute amount of genetic material, copy a selected region from it repeatedly, and -- within hours -- generate a sample sufficient to perform a variety of tests.

About UniPath, LLC

UniPath, LLC (Denver, CO) is the largest pathology practice in the Rocky Mountain Region with 25 pathologists and over 120 supporting personnel. UniPath provides laboratory and pathology services to hospitals, clinics, doctor's offices, laboratories, and other facilities along the Front Range of Colorado and beyond. They are the premier provider of anatomical pathology services in the Rocky Mountain Region.

UniPath, LLC

CONTACT: Eric Wong, Manager of Business Development of UniPath, LLC,+1-303-512-2225

Source: PRNewswire

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