Roche Diagnostics Sponsors Satellite Symposium Featuring NT-proBNP

Atlanta, Georgia -- March 17, 2002 --A capacity crowd gathered yesterday at the Hilton Atlanta and Towers to hear a panel of international cardiology experts discuss a new laboratory-based blood marker for cardiac dysfunction called NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide). The event, which was sponsored by Roche Diagnostics was co-chaired by Dr. Gary Francis of the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Henry Dargie of the University of Glasgow, Scotland.

Speakers discussed original research that highlighted the diagnostic and prognostic utility of NT-proBNP in patients with congestive heart failure and acute coronary syndromes. Roche Diagnostics' Elecsys® proBNP assay, a fully automated quantitative immunoassay that detects levels of NT-proBNP in serum and plasma, has been launched in Europe and is currently in clinical trials in the United States.

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's Diagnostics Division, the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics with a uniquely broad product portfolio, 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. Roche's website is located at www.roche-diagnostics.com.