Roche has formed a strategic alliance with med fusion of Lewisville, Texas, that designates the company as a Roche Molecular Center of Excellence (MCOE) for the next five years.

As a nationally recognized Roche MCOE, med fusion's molecular diagnostics laboratory will offer physicians and patients some of the newest and advanced molecular technologies, such as Roche's cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test, a companion diagnostic approved by the FDA in 2011 to identify patients who are eligible for treatment with the drug Zelboraf (vemurafenib) for inoperable or metastatic melanoma. 

Established in 2002, Roche's MCOE program is designed to create an alliance network that enables non-competing regional laboratories across the U.S. to collaborate and capitalize on scientific knowledge in molecular testing and, in turn, help accelerate the advancement of new test methods and technology.

"Roche is very pleased to welcome med fusion into the Molecular Center of Excellence alliance," said Whitney Green, senior vice president of molecular diagnostics, Roche Diagnostics. "We value their expertise and look forward to working together in implementing molecular technologies in the advancement of personalized medicine."

Of the 35 labs in the U.S. to receive this recognition and join the partnership, med fusion is only one of three based in Texas.

"This relationship with Roche will help keep med fusion on the leading edge of technology and help ensure that we are supporting physicians and patients with the most advanced molecular technologies," said Dr. Thomas Lohmann, chief medical officer, med fusion.