Roche Diagnostics and Gen-Probe sign agreement for the purchase of components for APTIMA ® Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Assay

Today, Roche Diagnostics, Basel , Switzerland and Gen-Probe, San Diego , California , US (NASDAQ: GPRO) announced that they have signed a purchase and supply agreement with F. Hoffmann – La Roche Ltd and its affiliate Roche Molecular Systems Inc. Under this agreement Gen-Probe will purchase products from Roche Molecular Systems Inc., a unit of Roche Diagnostics, for use in its molecular diagnostic tests for human papilloma virus (HPV).

Under the agreement, Roche Diagnostics will manufacture DNA probes for HPV, which Gen-Probe will purchase at agreed-upon transfer prices. Gen-Probe also will pay initial manufacturing fees in two installments. Gen-Probe plans to use HPV probes supplied by Roche Diagnostics' in APTIMA ® format HPV test kits to detect high-risk subtypes of HPV.

“We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Gen-Probe as the detection of HPV is such an important concern for women's health. For the benefit of women all over the world, this is intended to increase the availability of tests for the detection of HPV, and help to further increase physician and patient awareness of HPV and the importance of its early detection,” commented Heino von Prondzynski, CEO Division Roche Diagnostics and Member of the Executive Committee.

“Developing an HPV test is an important part of Gen-Probe's long-term strategy to enter new markets where there are important medical needs and attractive commercial opportunities,” said Henry L. Nordhoff, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Gen-Probe. “A highly sensitive and specific HPV assay will fit perfectly with our strong STD franchise, and be an ideal high-volume test to expand the menu of our fully automated, high-throughput TIGRIS system.”

HPV is a group of sexually transmitted viruses that includes more than 100 different subtypes. High-risk HPV subtypes are the primary cause of cervical cancer and are found in more than 99% of cervical cancer cases. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50% of sexually active men and women acquire HPV infection at some point in their lives. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 10,520 women developed invasive cervical cancer in 2004 and about 3,900 women died from the disease.

About Roche and the Roche Diagnostics

Headquartered in Basel , Switzerland , Roche is one of the world's leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a supplier of innovative products and services for the early detection, 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 is a world leader in diagnostics, the leading supplier of medicines for cancer and transplantation and a market leader in virology. In 2004 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totaled 21.7 billion Swiss francs, while the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 7.8 billion Swiss francs. Roche employs roughly 65,000 people in 150 countries and has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai.

Roche's Diagnostics Division offers a uniquely broad product portfolio and supplies a wide array of innovative testing products and services to researchers, physicians, patients, hospitals and laboratories world-wide.

For further information, please visit our websites www.roche.com and www.roche-diagnostics.com

About Gen-Probe

Gen-Probe Incorporated is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of rapid, accurate and cost-effective nucleic acid testing products for diagnosing human diseases and screening donated human blood. Using its patented NAT technologies, Gen-Probe has received FDA approvals or clearances for a broad portfolio of products that detect a variety of infectious microorganisms, including those causing sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, strep throat, pneumonia and fungal infections. Additionally, the Company developed and manufactures the only FDA-approved blood screening assay for the simultaneous detection of HIV-1 and HCV, which is marketed by Chiron Corporation.

Gen-Probe has more than 20 years of nucleic acid detection research and product development experience, and its products are used daily in clinical laboratories and blood collection centers throughout the world. Gen-Probe is headquartered in San Diego , California and employs approximately 900 people. For more information, go to www.gen-probe.com.

1. Raney, A.K, Eggers, C., Chi S.Y. et.al. “In Vivo Regulation of Hepatitis B Virus Transcription”; Cell Biology , the Scripps' Research Institute, 1998.
2. Hadziyannis S, Rodes J, Bruix J, et al. Impact of HBV, HCV, and HGV on hepatocellular carcinomas in Europe : results of an European Concerted Action. J Hepatol. 1997;26(suppl 1):139. Abstract P/C11/06.
3. Soldan K, et.al. Estimation of the risk of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and HIV infectious donations entering the blood supply. Vox Sang . 2003 May;84(4):274-86.

For more information please contact: