Roche Diagnostics Introduces Ultracompact LightCycler Nano Real-Time PCR System in US

INDIANAPOLIS and MONTREAL, Oct. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Roche (SIX: RO, ROG;
OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today the U.S. launch of the latest addition to the
company’s real-time PCR portfolio of LightCycler® instruments for use in
research, the LightCycler Nano real-time PCR system. Roche Applied Science made
the announcement in conjunction with the start of the 61st annual meeting of the
American Society of Human Genetics in Montreal.

The new LightCycler Nano instrument shares the state-of-the-art technology of
the LightCycler portfolio, producing high quality data in qPCR, genotyping, and
high resolution melting on a small platform. The system uses innovative optics
and thermal control to provide an extremely low variation of well-to-well
performance.

The benchtop LightCycler Nano features a 32-well format and easy-to-use software
that is compatible with Macintosh® and Windows®-PC operating systems.
Complementing Roche’s LightCycler 480 and LightCycler 1536 real-time PCR
systems, it offers a convenient solution for labs currently sharing time on
another lab’s real-time PCR instrument.

“Many research labs use 96-well instruments, but the average number of samples
per run is often below the capacity of the instruments,” said Brigitte
Fernandes-McAlear, vice president of marketing at Roche Diagnostics Corporation.
“This compact platform should satisfy the needs of many PCR researchers by
fitting well into their work environment while delivering excellent results.”

Roche expects to begin accepting orders for LightCycler Nano instruments in
early November.

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused
healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is
the world’s largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in
oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world
leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in
diabetes management. Roche’s personalized healthcare strategy aims at providing
medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health,
quality of life and survival of patients. In 2010, Roche had over 80,000
employees worldwide and invested over 9 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group
posted sales of 47.5 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly
owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai
Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information: www.roche.com or
www.roche-diagnostics.us.

For life science research only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

LightCycler technology is licensed from Idaho Technology Inc. LIGHTCYCLER is a
trademark of Roche. All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by
law.

For further information, please contact:

Betsy Cox
Director, Corporate Communications
Roche Diagnostics Corporation
Indianapolis, Indiana USA
(317) 521-3911
betsy.cox@roche.com

SOURCE Roche Diagnostics