ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS REPORTS POSITIVE RESULTS IN U.S. COURT'S RULINGS ON SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTIONS IN MARYLAND CASE

Says Rulings Show Key Issues in IGEN Case Are Unresolved, Sees Litigation Continuing

MANNHEIM (August 12, 2001) - Roche Diagnostics GmbH said today that the U.S. District Court of Maryland declined to find that Roche had breached its contract with IGEN International (Nasdaq: IGEN) in rulings on two of four motions for summary judgment submitted by IGEN.

IGEN filed the motions in its long-running suit against Roche over claims relating to the licensing to Roche Diagnostics of IGEN's electrochemiluminescent technology.

On a further count presented by IGEN for summary judgment, the court declined to find Roche liable on seven of the nine instances claimed by IGEN to be breaches of contract. On the final count, the court granted summary judgment on IGEN's claim that Roche had settled, without IGEN's consent, a patent infringement suit brought against both companies.

"The rulings largely supported Roche's view that the central issues in this dispute are highly complicated and remain unresolved," said Heino von Prondzynski, Member of the Executive Committee of Roche and Head of the Diagnostics Division. "As a result, these issues will be presented in the jury trial, which is scheduled for the October-December period."

"We remain confident of a positive outcome in this case, though a final disposition could be a long time in coming," Mr. Prondzynski said. "As we've stated previously, Roche Diagnostics will vigorously protect its rights at every stage in this lengthy, complex legal process."

He added: "In the meantime, Roche Diagnostics continues to provide its clients with a full range of diagnostic systems. As a world leader in medical research and technology, we are confident that we will be able to do so regardless of the outcome of the litigation."

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 disease, thus enhancing the well-being and quality of life. Roche has approximately 64,000 employees and sells its products in over 170 countries.