Hoffmann-La Roche Inc., Eastman Kodak Co. and Chiron Corp.announced Thursday that they have resolved the issuessurrounding rights to polymerase chain reaction (PCR)technology in in vitro human diagnostics.

Roche acquired the PCR technology from now-defunct CetusCorp. in 1991, when Cetus merged with Chiron of Emeryville,Calif. The deal included the rights to all of Cetus' patents andthe licenses granted by Cetus under those patents relating bothto the nTaq polymerase temperature stable enzyme used in thereaction and the technology per se.

The settlement clears the way for both Roche, of Nutley, N.J.,and Kodak, of Rochester, N.Y., to market diagnostic productsusing PCR to amplify DNA, to continue development programsand to market new PCR products.

Kodak and its affiliates received a non-exclusive royalty-bearing license without sublicensing rights limited to the invitro human diagnostics field. Kodak also acknowledged Rocheas the sole owner of the key patents covering the PCR processand other defined patent properties pertaining to PCR.

Roche Molecular Systems, a business unit of Roche DiagnosticsGroup, is currently developing PCR technology in variousmarkets, including human diagnostics, research, quality control,environmental applications and forensics.

-- Jennifer Van Brunt Senior Editor

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