Bethesda, MD, January 15, 2004

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) is pleased to announce that Roche Diagnostics Corporation will sponsor the AMP Award for Excellence in Molecular Diagnostics through a generous partnership from 2004-2008. AMP

The Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) Award for Excellence in Molecular Diagnostics recognizes lifetime pioneering and special achievements in molecular diagnostics and molecular medicine by professionals in the fields of molecular biology, molecular pathology, pathology, genetics, microbiology and basic medical sciences. Awardees’ research has provided the scientific rationale for, or led to the development of, novel technologies for molecular diagnostics; and contributed significantly to disease and patient management. The Award is presented annually at the AMP Annual Meeting. For further information, please visit the AMP website at www.ampweb.org.

“The AMP Award for Excellence in Molecular Diagnostics is the central focus of our annual meeting. We are very appreciative of the generous support of Roche Diagnostics, as this will allow us to continue in our tradition of inviting world renowned scientists in the field of Molecular Diagnostics, “ said AMP President, Angela M. Caliendo, MD PhD, Emory University School of Medicine.

Past Awardees have included the world’s leading scientists in their field; Sir Alec Jeffreys (2003), Craig Venter, PhD (2002); Bert Vogelstein, MD (2001); Henry R. Erlich, PhD (2000); Edward Southern, PhD (1999); and Francis Collins, MD PhD (1998).

"AMP is an important organization for our industry, and Roche Diagnostics is proud to partner with them on this award, which recognizes a positive and significant contribution in molecular diagnostics," said Tiffany Olson, Vice President, Molecular Diagnostics, Roche Diagnostics. "We are impressed by the positive impact that AMP has in fostering open dialogue, engaging in important issues and moving the industry forward. We look forward to honoring the next recipient in November."

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world’s leading innovation-driven healthcare groups. Its core businesses are pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is number one in the global diagnostics market, the leading supplier of pharmaceuticals for cancer and a leader in virology and transplantation. As a supplier of products and services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people’s health and quality of life. Roche employs approximately 65,000 people in 150 countries. The Group has alliances and research and development agreements with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai. 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 world-wide. Roche Diagnostics’ North American headquarters are in Indianapolis, Indiana (www.roche-diagnostics.us). For further information, please visit the Roche websites www.roche.com and www.roche-diagnostics.com.