Roche to acquire Curagen's 454

Roche (SWX:ROG) will acquire CRGN's high throughput genome sequencing subsidiary 454 Life Sciences for $140 million in cash. In addition, 454 shareholders may receive up to $14.9 million from the exercise of stock options. ROG and 454 have an existing research and marketing deal under which Roche Diagnostics is the exclusive global distributor of the Genome Sequencer systems based on the CRGN unit's 454 Sequencer technology. The acquisition gives ROG access to future generations of sequencing products and the use of 454 Sequencing for in vitro diagnostic applications. ROG will maintain 454's facility in Branford, Conn. 454 generated revenues of $37.3 million in 2006. ...