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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
Basel, 11 July 2007\line \line {\b Roche 
says offer for Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. is full and fair} \line \line Roche 
(SWX: ROG.VX; RO.S), a world-leading healthcare provider of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, released 
the following statement in response to today\u8217?s announcement by Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. (\u8220?Ventana\u8221?) 
(NASDAQ: VMSI):\line \line Roche takes note that Ventana\u8217?s Board of Directors remains 
unwilling to discuss Roche\u8217?s all-cash offer for Ventana. Roche\u8217?s offer of $75.00 per share in cash, 
or an aggregate of approximately $3 billion on a fully diluted basis, represents a 44% premium to Ventana\u8217?s 
close of $51.95 on June 22, 2007, the last trading day prior to Roche\u8217?s offer, and a 55% premium to 
its three-month average of $48.30, as of the same date. \line \line \u8220?Roche continues 
to believe that its offer of $75 per share in cash is a full and fair offer and a unique opportunity 
for Ventana\u8217?s stockholders to receive value now that reflects Ventana\u8217?s current business and full future 
potential,\u8221? said Franz B. Humer, Chairman and CEO of Roche. \u8220?We are committed to bringing our companies 
together and continue to prefer to commence discussions with Ventana to effect a negotiated transaction.\u8221?\line \line It 
remains Roche\u8217?s preference to enter into a negotiated transaction with Ventana. If Ventana refuses to 
negotiate, Roche will continue to pursue a transaction unilaterally. In addition to its cash tender 
offer, Roche will consider taking action in connection with Ventana\u8217?s 2008 annual meeting. Such action 
may include the nomination of new directors to Ventana\u8217?s Board and/or proposals to amend Ventana\u8217?s bylaws.\line \line Greenhill 
& Co. and Citi are acting as financial advisors to Roche and Davis Polk & Wardwell is acting 
as legal counsel.\line \line {\b About Roche } \line Headquartered 
in Basel, 
Switzerland, Roche is one of the world\u8217?s leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of 
pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As the world\u8217?s biggest biotech company and an innovator of products 
and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, the Group contributes 
on a broad range of fronts to improving people\u8217?s health and quality of life. Roche is the world leader 
in in-vitro diagnostics and drugs for cancer and transplantation, a market leader in virology and active 
in other major therapeutic areas such as autoimmune diseases, inflammation, metabolism and central nervous 
system. In 2006 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totaled CHF 33.3 billion, and the Diagnostics 
Division posted sales of CHF 8.7 billion. Roche employs roughly 75,000 people worldwide and has R&D 
agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in 
Genentech and Chugai. \line \line Roche\u8217?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.\line \line Roche commenced 
operations in the U.S. over 100 years ago and these operations include research and development centers 
that conduct leading-edge work in advancing disease detection and treatment. Our diagnostics and pharmaceuticals 
businesses in the U.S. employ more than 20,000 people and generate approximately $10 billion in sales 
(including Genentech), accounting for about 40% of the Roche Group's global annual revenues.\line \line For 
further information, please visit www.roche.com (http://www.roche.com).\line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 All 
trademarks used 
or mentioned in this release are protected by law.\par}\line \line {\b Further 
information} \line - Response letter to Ventana\u8217?s management (http://www.roche.com/info070625)\line \line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 CAUTIONARY 
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS\line THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING 
STATEMENTS. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY WORDS SUCH AS \u8216?BELIEVES\u8217?, \u8216?EXPECTS\u8217?, 
\u8216?ANTICIPATES\u8217?, \u8216?PROJECTS\u8217?, \u8216?INTENDS\u8217?, \u8216?SHOULD\u8217?, \u8216?SEEKS\u8217?, \u8216?ESTIMATES\u8217?, \u8216?FUTURE\u8217? OR SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS 
OR BY DISCUSSION OF, AMONG OTHER THINGS, STRATEGY, GOALS, PLANS OR INTENTIONS. VARIOUS FACTORS MAY CAUSE 
ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY IN THE FUTURE FROM THOSE REFLECTED IN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS 
CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, AMONG OTHERS: (1) PRICING AND PRODUCT INITIATIVES OF COMPETITORS; (2) LEGISLATIVE 
AND REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS; (3) DELAY OR INABILITY IN OBTAINING REGULATORY 
APPROVALS OR BRINGING PRODUCTS TO MARKET; (4) FLUCTUATIONS IN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES AND GENERAL FINANCIAL 
MARKET CONDITIONS; (5) UNCERTAINTIES IN THE DISCOVERY, DEVELOPMENT OR MARKETING OF NEW PRODUCTS OR NEW 
USES OF EXISTING PRODUCTS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION NEGATIVE RESULTS OF CLINICAL TRIALS OR RESEARCH 
PROJECTS, UNEXPECTED SIDE-EFFECTS OF PIPELINE OR MARKETED PRODUCTS; (6) INCREASED GOVERNMENT PRICING 
PRESSURES; (7) INTERRUPTIONS IN PRODUCTION; (8) LOSS OF OR INABILITY TO OBTAIN ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS; (9) LITIGATION; (10) LOSS OF KEY EXECUTIVES OR OTHER EMPLOYEES; AND (11) 
ADVERSE PUBLICITY AND NEWS COVERAGE. THE STATEMENT REGARDING EARNINGS PER SHARE GROWTH IS NOT A PROFIT 
FORECAST AND SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED TO MEAN THAT ROCHE\u8217?S EARNINGS OR EARNINGS PER SHARE FOR ANY CURRENT 
OR FUTURE PERIOD WILL NECESSARILY MATCH OR EXCEED THE HISTORICAL PUBLISHED EARNINGS OR EARNINGS PER 
SHARE OF ROCHE.\line \line ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT\line THIS 
PRESS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR A SOLICITATION 
OF AN OFFER TO SELL VENTANA\u8217?S COMMON STOCK. THE TENDER OFFER IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO A TENDER OFFER 
STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE TO (INCLUDING THE OFFER TO PURCHASE, LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER RELATED TENDER 
OFFER MATERIALS) FILED BY ROCHE WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC) ON JUNE 27, 2007. 
THESE MATERIALS, AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, INCLUDING 
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER, THAT SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE ANY DECISION IS MADE WITH 
RESPECT TO THE TENDER OFFER. INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS CAN OBTAIN A FREE COPY OF THESE MATERIALS AND 
OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY ROCHE WITH THE SEC AT THE WEBSITE MAINTAINED BY THE SEC AT WWW.SEC.GOV. THE 
TENDER OFFER MATERIALS MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FOR FREE BY CONTACTING THE INFORMATION AGENT FOR THE TENDER 
OFFER, MACKENZIE PARTNERS AT (212) 929-5500 OR (800) 322-2885 (TOLL-FREE).\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 \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}
}