Indianapolis, Ind, June 21, 2004

Roche Protein Expression Group Awarded Department of Energy Contract
Cell-free Protein Expression Enabling Micro-organism Characterization

Roche Protein Expression Group (RPEG), a custom protein expression service, is partnering with the United States Department of Energy and Argonne National Laboratory in the Genomes:GTL (formerly Genomes to Life) program. The goal of the Genomes:GTL program is to characterize microorganisms, specifically certain types of bacteria found in soil, that could play key roles in providing alternative sources of energy and in environmental cleanup initiatives. RPEG is involved in the initial stage of research with the goal to characterize the proteins produced by bacteria.

RPEG uses a proprietary cell-free protein expression system to efficiently and quickly express and characterize the hundreds of proteins encoded by the DNA found in these microorganisms. Typically, the approach to protein characterization involves cloning genes one-at-a-time into living cells and later, extracting the protein from the cells. Potentially, the cell-free approach will allow the researchers to devote less hands-on time and get to protein characterization data in a reduced time period.

"We are helping the DOE evaluate cell-free protein expression as a means to high-throughput expression of bacterial genes. The goal is to develop a technology platform that will support the processing and evaluation of biological samples integrated with information management and analysis of proteomic data," said Brian Holaway, PhD., Director of Marketing and Business Development for RPEG.

Dr. Frank Collart, a scientist from Argonne involved in the Genomes:GTL program, said "We are pleased to collaborate with the Roche Protein Expression Group in the development of cell free methods for production of recalcitrant microbial proteins. The ease of automation and scalable nature of cell-free synthesis indicates this technology will be an important component of genome scale protein production strategies required by the DOE's Genomes:GTL program."

The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory conducts basic and applied scientific research across a wide spectrum of disciplines, ranging from high-energy physics to climatology and biotechnology. Argonne has worked with more than 600 companies and numerous federal agencies and other organizations to help advance America's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for the future. The University of Chicago operates Argonne as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratory system.

For more information about Roche Protein Expression Group, please visit www.rpeg.com

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. Roche Diagnostics' North American headquarters are in Indianapolis, Indiana (www.roche-diagnostics.us). For further information, please visit our websites www.roche.us and www.roche-diagnostics.com.

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