Indianapolis, Ind., July 17, 2003

Roche Diagnostics and Mayo Clinic Announce Availability of LightCycler® Herpes Simplex Virus 1/2 Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR)

Today, Roche Diagnostics and Mayo Clinic announced the launch of the first commercially available ASR for the detection of the pol gene of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type 1 and HSV type 2 DNA. This product is specially designed for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays utilizing hybridization probes. Through their collaborative efforts, Roche Diagnostics and Mayo Clinic have been working on the development of not only the LightCycler HSV 1/2 assay, but also additional ASRs for molecular diagnostic testing.

Although the development of the HSV1/2 ASR is the most recent example, Roche and Mayo Clinic have worked together on other assay-related projects, including the recently introduced Methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus, Vancomycin - resistant Enterococcus, Group A Strep and Epstein-Barr virus ASRs, among others. Notably, in November 2001, Roche Diagnostics and Mayo Clinic launched a rapid anthrax detection assay, which provided laboratories with the ability to detect the bacterium in less than an hour, environmental only.

"Compared with traditional culture-based assays, the added sensitivity of this assay and decreased time for results, and its ability to determine the two genotypes of the virus by melting curve analysis, translates to more accurate and rapid diagnosis of herpes simplex infections," said Mayo Clinic microbiologist Thomas Smith, Ph.D. "This should enable healthcare providers to give appropriate therapy in a more timely fashion."

"The development of the LightCycler HSV 1/2 ASR and other critical ASRs are examples of breakthroughs that can be realized by combining the expertise of a leading diagnostics company and healthcare institution," said Tiffany Olson, Vice President, Roche Molecular Diagnostics. "The initiatives that Roche and the Mayo Clinic have collaborated on are strongly impacting the future of PCR-based assays. We look forward to continuing our relationship and to introducing additional critical reagents to the marketplace."

Roche ASRs provide high-quality, function-tested ASRs which enable rapid menu expansion for laboratories currently performing (or interested in) diagnostic homebrew testing.

About Roche's Patented PCR Technology
Roche's patented polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, the world's leading nucleic acid amplification technology, allows minute amounts of genetic material to be amplified into billions of copies (that is, to detectable levels) in only a few hours. Besides its applications in DNA fingerprinting and the diagnosis and monitoring of disease, PCR enables detection of infectious agents in donated blood earlier in the infection cycle, often before symptoms appear. Standard immunoassay testing, in contrast, detects evidence of a body's immune response (antibodies) later in the infection cycle, leaving an increased period of time when infections can be missed.

Women's health testing is one of Roche Diagnostics' six distinct PCR areas of focus. The other areas are virology, blood screening, microbiology, oncology and genomics.

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.

LIGHTCYCLER is a trademark of a Member of the Roche Group.
The technology used for the LightCycler is licensed from Idaho Technology, Inc.