ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS LAUNCHES MyLabOnline.com

INDIANAPOLIS (July 9, 2001) - Today, Roche Diagnostics announces the successful launch of MyLabOnline.com, an exclusive web site designed in close collaboration with customers to provide instant, around-the-clock access to documentation, technical material, training and many other service offerings for United States customers of Roche Diagnostics Laboratory Systems.

Developed following extensive customer surveys and testing, MyLabOnline.com addresses the ever-increasing need of today's laboratory to achieve higher levels of efficiency. For example, one of the key features offered is instant access to technical documentation such as package inserts and application sheets. Previously, such documentation was requested via telephone, and the response was forwarded by fax or e-mail. With MyLabOnline.com, customers simply register with Roche, log on and retrieve the information they need, reducing telephone calls and eliminating waiting time.

MyLabOnline.com also streamlines access to marketing personnel. Through a special Ask the Expert section, customers can reach product and application experts in the Marketing Department, ask questions and receive answers by return e-mail. In this way, MyLabOnline.com offers customers a personal line to company headquarters.

Also unique to MyLabOnline.com is the ongoing customer survey that offers a continuous feedback loop to provide direction for updating and enhancing the site. Every new customer logging on to the site has an opportunity to specify priorities for additional features and enhancements. Partly as a result of this input, plans are underway to include downloadable training materials, web-enabled training programs, online troubleshooting and online ordering.

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leading research-oriented healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and vitamins. Roche's products and services address prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, thus enhancing well-being and quality of life. Roche has approximately 64,000 employees and sells its products in over 170 countries Roche's Diagnostics Division supplies a wide array of innovative testing products and services to researchers, physicians, patients, hospitals and laboratories worldwide. Roche Diagnostics Corporation, based in Indianapolis, is the North American headquarters for the diagnostics business of the company.