Roche To Strengthen R&D Pipeline In Israel

Roche has sealed a deal with Pontifax Management to build a R&D pipeline in Israel. Under the agreement, Pontifax will help Roche to identify and invest in Israeli biotech companies. The company will initially focus on early-stage biotech firms foccused on drug development, clinical trials, manufacturing and marketing.

Selected start-ups will be admitted to an incubator affiliated with Pontifax. The joint investment will complement funding through the incubator program of the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor.

Roche is a healthcare process company focused on identifying disease susceptibilities and testing for disease in at-risk populations to prevention, diagnosis, therapy and treatment monitoring.

Herzliya-based Pontifax specializes in investments in seed, early and mid stage companies, including startups.