What is Roka Bioscience?
Roka Bioscience, Inc. is dedicated to the development and commercialization of advanced molecular assay technologies for the detection of foodborne pathogens within the United States. Its flagship product, the Atlas instrument, offers a fully automated solution for molecular diagnostic testing, streamlining processes that previously required manual intervention and batch processing. The platform is designed to automate all aspects of molecular diagnostic testing on a single, integrated system.
The company's assay offerings include critical molecular tests for prevalent foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli O157:H7, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. These tests are complemented by related consumable supplies. Roka Bioscience serves a diverse clientele, including food processors, third-party contract testing laboratories, and government regulatory authorities, positioning itself as a key player in ensuring food safety through technological innovation.
How much funding has Roka Bioscience raised?
Roka Bioscience has raised a total of $150M across 4 funding rounds:
Series C
$20M
Series D
$47.5M
Stock Offering
$60M
Share Placement
$22.5M
Series C (2011): $20M with participation from Gen-Probe, New Enterprise Associates, OrbiMed, and TPG Biotech
Series D (2012): $47.5M led by New Enterprise Associates, OrbiMed, TPG Biotech, and Aisling Capital
Stock Issuance/Offering (2014): $60M, investors not publicly disclosed
Share Placement (2016): $22.5M, investors not publicly disclosed
Key Investors in Roka Bioscience
New Enterprise Associates
New Enterprise Associates (NEA) is a prominent venture capital firm established in 1977, headquartered in Menlo Park, California. NEA is recognized for its focus on empowering entrepreneurs and building successful businesses across various sectors.
OrbiMed
OrbiMed Advisors LLC is a specialized investment firm deeply entrenched in the healthcare sector, managing capital across biopharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital health, diagnostics, and healthcare services. Their investment approach is informed by extensive experience in life sciences and healthcare business development.
TPG Biotech
TPG Biotech is a global investment firm known for managing alternative assets and driving business growth across diverse industries. They provide investment management, advisory, and capital solutions, operating across private equity, credit, real estate, and impact investing.
What's next for Roka Bioscience?
The recent major strategic investment in Roka Bioscience signals a pivotal phase for the company, likely enabling accelerated scaling of its operations, further research and development into new diagnostic assays, and expansion into new markets. The substantial enterprise-level backing suggests a focus on solidifying its market leadership and potentially pursuing strategic partnerships or acquisitions.
With a robust technological platform and a clear focus on critical food safety needs, Roka Bioscience is well-positioned to leverage this latest financing to enhance its competitive edge and address the evolving demands of the food industry and regulatory bodies. Future developments may include expanding the Atlas instrument's capabilities and broadening its assay menu to cover a wider spectrum of pathogens.
