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Cenetron Announces Agreement with Roche Diagnostics: Jointly Developing a Molecular Center of Excellence

Austin, TX, and Indianapolis, Ind., October 7, 2003 - Cenetron Diagnostics, Ltd., a leading provider of molecular diagnostic services, today announced it has signed a five-year strategic alliance agreement with Roche Diagnostics to establish itself as a Molecular Center of Excellence to perform routine molecular diagnostic testing, esoteric genomic testing, and other related diagnostics services using Roche's patented Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and other advanced genomic technologies.

Molecular diagnostic testing serves as the core of Cenetron's diagnostic services to clients by providing more sensitive, more specific and faster results for optimal patient care. Cenetron also specializes in clinical trials work to support the development efforts of leading pharmaceutical companies worldwide. Molecular testing brings not only the ability to diagnose specific viral and bacterial pathogens, but also to serially monitor the quantity of pathogen within patients, a feature which allows precise clinical decision making as well as enhanced development support for pharmaceutical clients. Further, molecular genetic testing will be used to provide highly accurate predictive values when screening for disease -associated genetic mutations. Cenetron intends to continue to leverage its experience as a molecular reference laboratory and clinical trials partner and combine them with Roche's expertise and support in molecular and genomic diagnostics.

"This agreement aligns Cenetron with the world's leading diagnostic company to become an early adopter in the coming explosion of advanced, esoteric molecular diagnostic testing, as well as giving us the ability to benefit from Roche's vast support resources" said Dwight DuBois, M.D., Cenetron's President. "PCR technology provides a highly sensitive methodology for earlier detection of lower concentrations of target organisms in an expanding menu, including, but not limited to HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses, and human papillomavirus (HPV), the causative agent for virtually all women's cervical cancer. We are very excited about working with Roche Diagnostics and the positive impact this will have on improving patient care. This partnership will provide Cenetron with very early access to new assays and technologies as well as providing us with a complete package of services to ensure that we maximize our market opportunities. As we develop our Molecular Centers of Excellence program, we believe this business model will further enhance our advantage of local access through superior turn-around time, world-class pathology resources, enhanced educational capabilities, and further advancements in the delivery of patient care information. We also see significant advantages in the area of clinical trials work, demonstrating to our clients our commitment to testing excellence. We fully expect this agreement to also lead to other opportunities with Roche."

"Matching Roche Diagnostics, the world's leading diagnostics company, with Cenetron as a leading regional provider of molecular diagnostics, genomics, clinical trials and other information services is an exciting opportunity" said Martin Madaus, President and CEO of Roche Diagnostics Corporation. "Cenetron's extensive diagnostics infrastructure is well positioned to help us shift the paradigm from reactive testing, diagnosing, treating, and monitoring to proactive detection. This allows for the delivery of actionable healthcare information, possibly before the onset of disease, leading to early intervention with treatment or a change in wellness habits."

About Roche and the Roche Diagnostics Division

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world'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's health and quality of life. Roche employs approximately 65,000 people in 150 countries. The Group has alliances and research and development agreements with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai. Roche's Diagnostics Division, the world leader in 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. Roche Diagnostics' North American headquarters are located in Indianapolis, Indiana. For further information, please visit www.roche.com and www.roche-diagnostics.com.

The statements contained in this press release include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements - which are sometimes identified by words such as "may," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and similar expressions and which include any financial or operating estimates, forecasts or projections - are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company's control. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from results anticipated by forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include: the extent of success of the Company's operating initiatives and growth strategies; ability to manage growth; access to capital on satisfactory terms; general economic conditions; terrorism or an escalation of hostilities or war; competition and changes in competitive factors; federal and state healthcare regulation (and compliance); reimbursement rates under government and third party healthcare programs and the payments received under such programs; changes in coding; changes in technology; dependence upon pathologists and customer contracts; the ability to attract, motivate, and retain pathologists; labor, technology and insurance costs; marketing and promotional efforts; the availability of pathology practices in appropriate locations that the Company is able to acquire on suitable terms or develop; and the successful completion and integration of acquisitions (and achievement of planned or expected synergies). The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof based on management's current beliefs and expectations, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such statements. Further information regarding risks, uncertainties and other factors that could affect the Company's financial or operating results or that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected, estimated or anticipated are included in the Company's annual, quarterly, and other reports and filings with the SEC.

About Cenetron Diagnostics

Cenetron Diagnostics is a premier provider of molecular laboratory services, providing support for anti-viral and oncology drug development programs, and pharmacogenomics. Founded in 1995, Cenetron has supported pivotal global trials in North and South America, Europe, Africa and the Pacific Rim. Cenetron's client list includes leading pharmaceutical clients in the United States and Europe. For further information visit www.cenetron.com

For Additional Information

Dwight DuBois, MD
888.834.6632 x1203
[javascript protected email address]

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