Roche Diagnostics Corporation Announces Major Expansion Plans for North American Headquarters Campus in Indianapolis

Announced Projects Demonstrate Roche's Continued Commitment to the City of Indianapolis, State of Indiana and Life Sciences Initiative

April 17, 2003 - Roche Diagnostics Corporation of Indianapolis, Ind., the leader in diagnostics announced today that it will invest in excess of $135 million and create approximately 600 new jobs at its Indianapolis campus on the northeast side of the city over the next 10 years. During the next several years, the company expects growth and expansion of its research & development, laboratory, manufacturing, distribution, information technology and corporate headquarters operations, in support of five diagnostics business areas: Diabetes Care, Central Diagnostics, Applied Science, Molecular Diagnostics and Point of Care.

In return for its current and future business improvements, Roche Diagnostics Corporation will receive up to $22.2 million of local and state economic development incentives over the next 10 years. Local and state economic development incentives provided by the City of Indianapolis and State of Indiana will be in the form of state corporate income tax credits, training grants, property tax abatement savings and public infrastructure improvements.

The local and state governmental economic development incentive package provided to the company enhances Roche Diagnostics' long-range strategies and competitiveness in its market. The capital investment and job creation associated with the company's expansion plans further augments Indianapolis as the nerve center of Roche Diagnostics Corporation's operations for years to come. The incentives committed to the project by the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana also demonstrate the continued investment of local and state governmental entities in the life sciences initiative and fast growing industry sector.

"As the global leader in diagnostics, Roche has consistently outperformed our industry by providing actionable health information. We will continue investing in our people, research and development, business ventures and partnerships, and we are delighted that the City of Indianapolis and State of Indiana are partners in our future." said Martin Madaus, President and CEO of Roche Diagnostics Corporation. "This economic incentive package is a testament that Indiana is a viable and attractive location for any business, and specifically Indiana's life sciences industry."

"The City of Indianapolis has been working hard to create a positive business climate that allows life sciences companies and others to create new, high paying jobs," said Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson. "The Roche expansion is another great success of the Central Indiana Life Sciences Initiative, which boldly leverages our assets to become a national life sciences hub."

"Roche Diagnostics' work fits perfectly into our plans to expand four promising sectors in the Indiana economy -- the life sciences, advanced manufacturing, information technology and distribution. We're thrilled that Roche has decided to invest in Indiana, create 600 high-skill jobs here and help us diversify our economy." said Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon.

Roche Diagnostics Corporation in Indianapolis is the North American headquarters for five diagnostics business areas: Diabetes Care, Central Diagnostics, Applied Science, Molecular Diagnostics and Point of Care. Named Frost & Sullivan's Clinical Diagnostics Company of the Year, Roche Diagnostics Corporation is the leader in diagnostics and provides products and services for all key segments, including biomedical research, diagnostic laboratories, self monitoring of patients and point of care for hospitals and doctors' offices. Roche Diagnostics Corporation employs more than 2,150 people in Indianapolis and a total of 3,600 people throughout the U.S.

Roche Diagnostics Corporation would also like to recognize the outstanding efforts of the City of Indianapolis, State of Indiana, Indiana Department of Commerce, Indy Partnership, Ginovus and Roche Diagnostics Corporation personnel in assisting the company through its decision-making process.

About Roche and the Roche Diagnostics Division
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is an innovation-driven global healthcare leader focused on pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is number one worldwide in diagnostics, oncology and transplantation and has a leading position in virology. With products and services that address the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, the company contributes broadly to the enhancement of people's health and quality of life. Roche employs approximately 62,000 people in more than 150 countries around the world. The company has business alliances and R&D relationships with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai, which are both members of the Roche Group. 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. For further information, please visit our websites www.roche.com and www.roche-diagnostics.com.