Basal, Switzerland, June 21, 2004

Roche Diagnostics launches four new models of its High-end Point-of-Care analyzer to offer customized parameter-information in critical care settings
Roche OMNI S 1-4 allows its customers to choose an optimized parameter portfolio for their information needs in life-threatening healthcare situations

Roche Diagnostics announces today the launch of four new instrument models for its Point of Care flagship. These new models of Roche OMNI S 1-4 are ideally tailored to the needs of different critical care settings like the Intensive Care Units (ICU), Emergency Rooms (ER), Operating rooms (OR), Remote or STAT-labs, Recovery Rooms, Neonatal Units and Renal Dialysis.

The high-end Point of Care analyzer Roche OMNI S, which was launched outside of the US in May 2003, extends significantly the Roche product line for Hospital Point of Care applications. It provides highly reliable diagnostic data and information far beyond the basic critical care requirements. The comprehensive and modular parameter portfolio for the new analyzers Roche OMNI S 1-4 includes blood gases, electrolytes, total hemoglobin, hemoglobin derivates, hematocrit and also bilirubin. With the launch of the analyzer's version 1 to 4 it is now possible to provide customized solutions by offering various combinations of these parameters for different life-threatening critical care settings.

"In our continued commitment to providing solutions that meet the rapidly evolving demands our customers face in the Hospital Point of Care, OMNI S1-4 represents a significant advance in providing a modular tailored solution for time critical diagnostic parameters", said Dr. Michael Heuer, Head of the Business Area Roche Near Patient Testing. "I am very proud that we are able to offer such a high-end parameter portfolio, customized to the needs of our different customers".

An overview of possible configurations makes the variety of OMNI S solutions more visible:

Nearly one year after the global launch (outside of the US) of the analyzer's first versions (Roche OMNI S 5+6) first customer experiences of high reliability, low maintenance and long-life sensors tell its own tale about cost efficiency and quality of these diagnostic tools.

About Roche and the Roche Diagnostics Division
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 roughly 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.

Near Patient Testing, headquartered in Graz, Austria, brings the laboratory to the patient by offering a broad range of simple and reliable point of care systems. The product range consists of cardiac markers, blood gas and electrolyte analysis, coagulation, urinalysis, clinical chemistry, immunological tests and convenient connectivity solutions for use in the hospital, the physician's office or at home. For further information, please visit our websites www.roche.com and www.roche-diagnostics.com.

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