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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 10 May 2004 \line \line {\b New 
10 year agreement between Roche and Hitachi to become market leader in multibillion dollar immunochemistry 
sector \line } Continued unique partnership will strengthen position and 
build on growth\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Roche Diagnostics and Hitachi High-Technologies 
Corporation, Tokyo, continue their plans to strengthen their position in the immunochemistry market. 
The new 10 year collaboration is a further significant step forward into the multibillion Dollar immunochemistry 
business based on laboratory automation solutions providing essential medical information to physicians.\line \line This 
new agreement follows a very successful 25-years long partnership between the two companies in the area 
of automated analytical systems for clinical laboratories. This market, the biggest segment of the in-vitro-diagnostics 
market, is estimated to be worth 6.8 billion $US today. Under the terms of the new agreement, Roche 
Diagnostics and Hitachi High- Technologies will continue to jointly innovate and develop future laboratory 
automation solutions responding to the need to supply fast and reliable patient data. \line \line \u8220?The 
new agreement marks another important milestone in our successful partnership and we have ensured the 
continuity of our collaboration for the next 10 years. We firmly believe that our renewed commitment 
will maximize our respective positions in the highly competitive In-Vitro Diagnostics market,\u8221? states 
Heino von Prondzynski, Head of Roche Diagnostics and a member of Roche\u8217?s Corporate Executive Committee. 
\u8220?We will continue to focus on innovations and new technology concepts to support healthcare professionals 
in their efforts to optimize care and help people in urgent need.\u8221?\line \line \u8220?With 
this new contract Hitachi High- Technologies and Roche Diagnostics will continue to enhance the value 
of the clinical laboratory in the health care delivery process. We are excited about the opportunities 
which lie ahead of us\u8221? says Dr. Katsuji Yamashita, Senior Vice President , Executive Officer and General 
Manager of Life Science Business Group of Hitachi High-Technologies.\line \line {\b About 
Immunochemistry \line } Valued at 6.8 billion $US today, immunochemistry is the biggest 
part of the in-vitro diagnostics market. In the first three months this year Roche Diagnostics has recorded 
a significant double digit growth of 24% (27% in CHF) in this market. Immunochemistry assays are based 
on an \u8220?antigen-antibody\u8221? reaction. The presence of specific antigens and / or antibodies in the body 
can be a very clear indication of specific diseases or functional disorders, for example Elecsys proBNP 
for heart insufficiency. Like a specific key which fits with the respective lock there is a high specificity 
of the anti-body and anti-gen reaction thus allowing the use of these molecules as indicators for diseases 
or disorders. Roche\u8217?s Elecsys system is based on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) technology and has become 
a cornerstone in the central laboratory.\line \line {\b About Hitachi 
High-Technologies\line } Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation 
is a global trading company. Hitachi High-Technologies is engaged in developmental and marketing activities 
in a broad range of fields that include semiconductor manufacturing, scientific equipment, testing and 
evaluation equipment, information systems, semiconductors, and leading-edge materials. Hitachi High-Technologies 
has earned a reputation as a \u8220?high-tech integrator\u8221?.\line \line {\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 Additional information\line } - Roche 
Diagnostics: www.roche-diagnostics.com (http://www.roche.com/div_diag.htm) \line - Hitachi: www.hitachi.com (http://www.hitachi.com)\line \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}
}