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Roche Diagnostics Announces Sale of Point of Care, Non-Clinical
Drugs of Abuse Testing Business to Varian, Inc.
Indianapolis, Ind. - February 3, 2003 -- Roche Diagnostics of Indianapolis,
Ind. announced today that it sold the company's world-wide non-clinical
drugs of abuse testing (DAT) business to Varian, Inc., of Palo Alto,
Calif. for an undisclosed price. The company's non-clinical DAT
products, including OnTrak TesTcup®, OnTrak TesTstik™,
OnSite® Alcohol and Intect™ line of testing devices, are
commonly used for illicit drug screening in the criminal justice
system and the workplace markets.
"Roche Diagnostics looked at divesting the non-clinical drugs
of abuse testing business because it serves a market that isn't
core to our business strategy. When reviewing other companies who
were interested in purchasing this business, we sought buyers who
were closely aligned with the market place to continue growing this
business." said Martin Madaus, President and CEO of Roche Diagnostics,
North America.
Approximately 30 people are directly involved with this part of
Roche Diagnostics' business. The sale does not include Roche Diagnostic's
drugs of abuse testing products used by clinical and hospital laboratory
customers. Roche will continue to sell and support the OnTrak TesTcard™
9 drugs of abuse testing product and all Abuscreen ONLINE® assays
for drug abuse.
About Varian
Varian, Inc. (Nasdaq:VARI) is a major supplier of scientific instruments,
vacuum technologies, and specialized contract electronics manufacturing
services. These businesses serve a broad range of life science and
industrial customers worldwide. The company manufactures in 15 locations
in North America, Europe, and the Pacific Rim and employs some 4,300
people. Varian, Inc. had fiscal year 2002 sales of $780 million.
Additional information about Varian, Inc. is available at www.varianinc.com.
About Roche Diagnostics Corporation
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 Diagnostic 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 Diagnostics' website is located at
www.roche-diagnostics.com.
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