Roche Diagnostics and deCODE: deCODE Clinical Genome Miner™ to Play Key Role in Speeding Genomic Discovery and Product Development

BASEL (July 16, 2001) - At a press conference held today in Reykjavik, executives from deCODE genetics (Nasdaq/Nasdaq Europe:DCGN) and Roche Diagnostics underscored the important role deCODE's Clinical Genome Miner™ will play in speeding the development of novel DNA-based diagnostics for major diseases. As part of the companies' broad diagnostics alliance signed and announced two weeks ago, Roche Diagnostics will become the first diagnostics company to apply the Clinical Genome Miner™'s unique combination of resources for linking together validated population data on human genetics and common diseases.

The Clinical Genome Miner™ is a unique, in silico platform for genomic research, bringing together a comprehensive collection of genetic markers and genealogical and disease data with cutting edge bioinformatics for analyzing the genetic basis of more than 30 common diseases. Using this powerful tool, deCODE and Roche researchers will be able to perform - in real time - experiments that would take months or even years in the laboratory. The companies will employ the Clinical Genome Miner™ to accelerate the identification and validation of markers for use in DNA-based diagnostic tests. It will also be employed in developing the point-of-care informatics products that the companies plan to develop and market to assist doctors in evaluating the results of DNA-based tests.

Kari Stefansson, CEO of deCODE genetics, said, "We are pleased that we and Roche will be putting the power of the Clinical Genome Miner™ to work to speed our discovery efforts and the development of new products. As a longstanding corporate partner familiar with the quality and results of our research, Roche's decision to utilize the Clinical Genome Miner™ is an important validation of the value of our population approach, data and bioinformatics tools."

"The partnership with deCODE is one in a series of alliances Roche is establishing to pursue our global objectives in the areas of genetics and genomics," stated Heino von Prondzynski, member of the Roche Executive Committee and Head of Roche's global Diagnostics Division. "Working together with deCODE, and leveraging the power of the Clinical Genome Miner™ , we will actively explore new and innovative diagnostics and data management solutions. Physicians will increasingly depend on bioinformatics knowledge in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of disease. We believe that our collaboration with deCODE will provide useful, efficient resources for point of care diagnostics, an area which represents one of the most important concepts in the future of healthcare."

"By combining the powerful datamining resources of deCODE and the strategic development strength of Roche, this alliance will emerge as the leading effort of its kind in the world. This collaboration is unique in that we are working with a genealogical database of unprecedented quality and size," said Heiner Dreismann, Head of Roche Molecular Diagnostics. "This is the key ingredient that will facilitate the rapid identification of the function of newly discovered disease genes. The medical community has a need for new, informatics-based diagnostic tools, and it is our objective to provide them as quickly and cost-effectively as possible."

deCODE genetics (www.decode.com), based in Reykjavik, Iceland, is conducting research into the inherited causes of common diseases. The company has three main business units: discovery services -- including disease-gene research, drug target identification and pharmacogenomic services; database services; and bioinformatics tools and services. deCODE is using its population approach to turn raw genomics data into products and services for the global healthcare industry.

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 (www.roche.com/diagnostics) supplies a wide array of innovative testing products and services to researchers, physicians, patients, hospitals and laboratories worldwide.

Molecular Diagnostics, a business area of Roche Diagnostics, has made the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the leading DNA probe technology in the world. PCR technology allows minute amounts of genetic material to be amplified into billions of copies in just a few hours, thereby facilitating detection of the DNA or RNA of pathogenic organisms even before antibodies to these organisms are formed.