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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 16 February 2004 \line \line {\b Roche 
completes acquisition of Igen} \line Broad access to immunochemistry sector\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Roche 
announced today that it had completed the acquisition of Igen on February 13. On the same day Igen ceased 
trading. Igen and Roche jointly announced in July 2003 that they had entered into definitive agreements 
under which Roche would acquire Igen and Igen would simultaneously distribute the common stock of BioVeris, 
a newly formed company, to its stockholders.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 The acquisition 
of Igen ends a long standing patent dispute and gives Roche broad access to the human in-vitro diagnostics 
(IVD) immunochemistry sector. Valued at 7.5 billion Swiss francs, immunochemistry is the biggest segment 
of the in-vitro diagnostics market. This strategic acquisition will place Roche Diagnostics in an ideal 
position to become the market leader in this segment in the medium to long term. In the last three years 
Roche has increased sales of the Elecsys immunochemistry product line by over 20% annually.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 As 
a result of the transaction, Igen stockholders will receive $47.25 in cash and one share of BioVeris 
common stock for each share of Igen common stock they owned immediately prior to the closing. BioVeris 
common stock has been approved for listing on NASDAQ under the symbol \u8220?BIOV\u8221? and is expected to begin 
trading on February 17, 2004.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Heino von Prondzynski, Head 
of Roche Diagnostics and a member of Roche\u8217?s Corporate Executive Committee: \u8220?The acquisition of Igen 
gives Roche non-exclusive rights that permit us to fully exploit the potential of electrochemiluminescence 
(ECL) technology in the Immunochemistry IVD market to further develop the Elecsys product line. It also 
allows us to expand our activities in one of the division\u8217?s largest and most attractive growth areas 
\u8211? immunochemistry, which accounts for over 25% of the in-vitro diagnostics market. We will now continuously 
extend our menu including a significant number of proteomic markers\u8220?\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b About 
the immunochemistry sector} \line The immunochemistry sector is a segment of in-vitro 
diagnostics that is mainly concerned with the diagnosis of hormones, cancer markers or infectious diseases. 
The term immunochemistry described the use of antibodies and antigens in the analytical process as a 
tool for detection. In 2003 the Elecsys immunochemistry product line posted double-digit gains and reached 
sales of CHF 745 million{\super 1} . Roche Diagnostics is constantly expanding the 
system\u8217?s test menu and in 2003 
added a new hormone marker assay and new therapeutic drug monitoring (drug concentration) tests.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b About 
the electrochemiluminescent technology} \line Electrochemiluminescent (ECL) processes 
are known to occur with numerous molecules including compounds of e.g. ruthenium. ECL is a process in 
which highly reactive species are generated from stable precursors at the surface of an electrode. These 
highly reactive species react with one another, producing light. The development of ECL immunoassays 
is based on the use of a ruthenium complex and tripropylamine (TPA). The chemiluminescent reactions 
that lead to the emission of light from the ruthenium complex are initiated electrically, rather than 
chemically. This is achieved by applying a voltage to the immunological complexes (including the ruthenium 
complex) that are attached to streptavidin-coated microparticles.\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 
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\u8217?s 
health and quality of life. Roche employs roughly 65\u8217? 000 people in 150 countries. The Group has alliances 
and R&D agreements with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and 
Chugai.\line \line {\b About BioVeris} \line BioVeris develops, 
manufactures and markets advanced biological and chemical detection systems, including instruments, 
tests and related consumable reagents. BioVeris\u8217? products are based on its unique patent-protected ECL 
technology. BioVeris and its licensees provide products to the global diagnostics markets, including: 
clinical diagnostics and non-clinical diagnostics (biodefense, life science research and testing for 
food safety and quality control). BioVeris is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland.\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 \line {\b Additional 
information} \par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - Roche Diagnostics: www.roche-diagnostics.com (http://www.roche.com/div_diag.htm)\par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - BioVeris: 
www.bioveris.com\par}\line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\super 1} including 
instruments, reagents and services\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}
}