Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
One Bryant Park
New York, New York 10036
July 14, 2014
VIA EDGAR
Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: | Roka BioSciences, Inc. |
Registration Statement on Form S-1 |
File No. 333-196135 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Pursuant to Rule 461 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the undersigned, as representative of the several underwriters (the “Underwriters”) in connection with the offering pursuant to the above-captioned Registration Statement, hereby join in the request of Roka BioSciences, Inc. that the effective date of the above-captioned Registration Statement be accelerated to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 16, 2014, or as soon thereafter as practicable.
In connection with this acceleration request and pursuant to Rule 460 under the Securities Act, please be advised that between July 7, 2014 and the date hereof, copies of the preliminary prospectus dated July 7, 2014 were distributed as follows:
To Whom Distributed | Number of Copies | |
Prospective Underwriters | 1,516 |
The undersigned, as representatives of the several Underwriters, have and will, and each Underwriter and dealer has advised the undersigned that it has and will, comply with Rule 15c2-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Very truly yours, | ||
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED | ||
As Representative of the Several Underwriters | ||
By: | /s/ Richard A. Diaz | |
Name: Richard A. Diaz | ||
Title: Authorized Signatory |