Roche expands access to cervical cancer screening tools with two new WHO prequalification designations, including HPV self-collection

The World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded Roche's HPV test prequalification for use with the cobas 5800 System and for self-collected samples on cobas 5800, 6800, and 8800 Systems. This enables low- and middle-income countries to implement Roche's cervical cancer screening solutions, including self-collection, in their elimination programs. Over 600,000 women globally are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually, with over 340,000 deaths, primarily in low- and middle-income countries. The WHO aims to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 through high-performance screening, vaccination, and treatment. Roche's HPV test detects 14 high-risk HPV genotypes, including HPV 16 and HPV 18, which are responsible for over 95% of cervical cancer cases. The test runs on the cobas 4800 and fully automated cobas 5800/6800/8800 Systems, providing fast results within hours. The HPV self-collection solution is approved for use with the cobas HPV test, increasing accessibility for women, particularly in remote areas or with limited healthcare access. Roche partners with healthcare systems and governments in over 55 countries to support cervical cancer screening programs, including Peru, where over 300,000 unscreened women have been tested using Roche's self-collection solution. The WHO prequalification designations provide healthcare professionals with confidence in accurate and reliable results, contributing to the fight against cervical cancer. Roche's commitment to eliminating cervical cancer includes partnerships with health systems and governments, as well as the Roche Global Access Program, which aims to improve access to cost-effective resources in resource-constrained settings. Roche's cervical cancer portfolio also includes CINtec PLUS Cytology and CINtec Histology, which aid in the confirmation of pre-cancerous cervical lesions.