The Best of Three Worlds

Celera Diagnostics, a 50/50 JV between Applera Corp.'s two divisions, Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics, is using the discovery, assay development, and systems expertise of its founders to help it commercialize reagent and software-based standardized molecular diagnostic tests. But Applera didn't step up to the plate until after it obtained an expanded license to PCR from Roche, giving it freedom to operate in the diagnostics arena, and convinced Kathy Ordoñez, president of Roche Molecular Systems, to join Applera and head the diagnostics program. Celera Diagnostics believes it will distinguish itself from other genomics-based companies pursuing diagnostics -- as well as from the traditional diagnostics players - by being able to efficiently discover new diagnostic markers by performing association studies to confirm the link between SNP sets and disease. Celera Diagnostics could also serve as an "earliest access" customer that contributes to and drives a new molecular diagnostics platform strategy for Applied Bio.