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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 18 March 2003 \line \line {\b Roche Diagnostics 
and Epigenomics sign broad Cancer Diagnostics alliance} \line Companies to collaborate 
on diagnostic products for early cancer detection, classification and treatment response\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Roche 
and Epigenomics announced today a broad three-year collaboration to develop a range of molecular diagnostic 
and pharmacogenomic cancer products based on Epigenomics\u8217? DNA-methylation technologies. DNA Methylation 
is a natural \u8220?switch\u8221? that controls gene expression giving rise to distinct patterns in cells including 
cancer and other diseased cells. Based on these methylation patterns, cancer can be detected and classified 
from tissue and bodily fluids, such as blood serum or urine samples. \par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Under 
the terms of the agreement, Roche will make an upfront payment of \u8364? 4 million and in addition provide 
R&D funding, milestone payments and royalties on product sales. Both partners estimate that if all 
products are successfully launched, the total value of the agreement could exceed \u8364? 100 million.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 The 
collaboration comprises the development of diagnostics products for use in early detection of cancers 
from major sites (e.g. colon, breast, prostate), their characterization (e.g. aggressive versus non-aggressive 
tumors) and prediction of treatment response to particular anti-cancer drugs. Epigenomics will be responsible 
for marker discovery, identification and pre-validation. Epigenomics\u8217? DNA methylation technologies will 
be incorporated into Roche\u8217?s existing and future PCR platforms (PCR: polymerase chain reaction) and 
into the recently licensed Microarray Technology. Diagnostic test development, clinical trials, product 
manufacturing, regulatory submissions and all sales and marketing worldwide are to be conducted by Roche. 
\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 \u8220?We are very enthusiastic about this collaboration. Roche is already the world 
leader in cancer therapies and with this alliance we will complement our position in the diagnostics 
field. The products that are being developed as part of this collaboration address the urgent need for 
earlier detection of cancer in bodily fluids by more accurate screening tests, as well as identifying 
those patients who need chemotherapy and most likely respond to particular cancer therapies,\u8221? says Heino 
von Prondzynski, Head of Roche Diagnostics and member of Roche\u8217?s Corporate Executive Committee. \u8220?As 
the worldwide leader in {\i in vitro}  Diagnostics we are committed to identify diseases 
early in order to improve treatment and enhance patients\u8217? quality of life. The alliance with Epigenomics 
will help us to remain at the forefront of the molecular diagnostics market and support our activities 
to pursue a market that could be greater than 3 billion Swiss francs ten years from now for our divisional 
cancer care program.\u8221?\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Alexander Olek, CEO of Epigenomics, adds: \u8220?This collaboration 
validates Epigenomics' DNA methylation technology and product development approach. By underlining the 
synergy between our in-house units, Diagnostics and Pharma Technology businesses, it allows us to pursue 
our vision of personalizing medicine. With the emerging trend of the pharmaceutical industry moving 
towards administering therapy only with a specific diagnostic test, we feel that the partnership with 
Roche Diagnostics solidifies Epigenomics\u8217? position as a leader in this field.\u8221?\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b DNA 
Methylation and Diagnostic Applications} \line DNA methylation is a natural phenomenon 
whereby a methyl chemical group is attached to the cytosine base of DNA. The pattern of DNA methylation 
is one of the primary biological mechanisms that controls gene expression or activity. As the methyl 
group is either present or not, the pattern on any strand of DNA can be digitized and easily interpreted. 
Measuring the differences in DNA methylation patterns of diseased and healthy conditions provides a 
reliable, sensitive and convenient way of identifying disease. For example, bodily fluid samples (e.g. 
blood serum or urine) can be used to reveal whether that person has cancer. Using a tissue sample from 
this individual, the DNA methylation patterns can be interpreted to show what type of cancer it is and 
most importantly guide physicians on the most appropriate way to treating it. \par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b Roche 
is the world leader in oncology treatment} \line Roche Diagnostics offers a broad portfolio 
of tumor markers for prostate, colorectal, liver, ovarian, breast, stomach, pancreas and lung cancer, 
as well as a range of molecular oncology tests running on the LightCycler. Within its Integrated Cancer 
Care Unit the company develops new tests which will have a significant impact on disease management 
of cancer patients in the future. \line The franchise of its pharmaceuticals Division includes 
MabThera (non-Hodgkin\u8217?s lymphoma), Xeloda (colorectal cancer, breast cancer), Herceptin (breast cancer), 
NeoRecormon (anaemia in various cancer settings), Roferon-A (leukaemia, Kaposi\u8217?s sarcoma, malignant 
melanoma, renal cell carcinoma) and Kytril (chemotherapy and radiotherapy-induced nausea). The franchise 
accounted in 2002 for sales of more than 5 billion Swiss francs (+33%).\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b About 
Roche} \line Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world\u8217?s leading 
research-oriented healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche\u8217?s products 
and services address prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, thus enhancing well-being and 
quality of life. In 2002 Roche\u8217?s core businesses recorded sales of 26.5 billion Swiss francs and employed 
some 61,900 people worldwide. Roche\u8217?s Diagnostics Division, the world leader in {\i 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. \par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b About 
Epigenomics} \line Epigenomics is committed to significantly improving the treatment of 
cancer and other complex diseases by developing novel diagnostic and pharmacogenomic products based 
on DNA methylation. By detecting and interpreting DNA methylation patterns, the "on" and "off" 
signs for genes, Epigenomics can create a digitized readout (Digital Phenotype\u174?) for each cell. The 
comparison of a patient\u8217?s cells against healthy and abnormal reference samples enables an exact diagnosis 
of disease at a very early stage and provides physicians with essential information to help guide an 
appropriate therapy. The combination of diagnosis and therapy, based on this information and robust 
proprietary technology, is \u8220?personalizing\u8221? medicine. Epigenomics is supported by a network of renowned 
academic researchers and clinicians, with expertise in the fields of cancer and DNA methylation. The 
company has its headquarters in Berlin, Germany, and a wholly owned subsidiary in Seattle, USA. For 
further information, please visit the website (http://www.epigenomics.com).\par}
{\pard \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 {\b F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd}\line 4070 Basel\line Switzerland \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 Corporate Communications\line Roche Group Media Relations \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 Tel. +41 61 688 88 88\line Fax +41 61 688 27 75\line www.roche.com \par}
}