Roche Supports the Smithsonian’s National Zoo with Next-Generation Sequencing Instrument for Animal Conservation Research

BRANFORD, Connecticut, February 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –

Roche and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
[http://nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/default.cfm ] in Washington, DC announced today a
collaboration agreement to use Roche’s GS Junior benchtop sequencing system
[http://my454.com/products/gs-junior-system/index.asp ] for research in SCBI’s Center for
Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics. SCBI’s state-of-the-art genetics laboratory, based
at the National Zoo in Washington, DC, will house the next-generation sequencing
instrument and will use its deep DNA sequencing powers for a variety of research projects
in areas of animal disease resistance, population genetics and molecular ecology.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute plays a key role in the Smithsonian’s
global efforts to understand and conserve species and train future generations of
conservationists, while specializing in areas of animal ecology, management, health and
breeding. Researchers at SCBI plan to use the GS Junior System’s DNA sequencing technology
to gain deeper insight into the genetics of dangerous pathogens that threaten animal
species. Specific projects include:

        - Sequencing strains of the deadly amphibian chytrid fungus that has
          devastated amphibian populations worldwide.
        - Sequencing highly pathogenic strains of the elephant endotheliotropic herpes
          virus (EEHV1).
        - Sequencing invasive avian malaria strains that are devastating most species of
          native Hawaiian birds.

“The power of next-generation sequencing is remarkable,” said Rob Fleischer, head of
SCBI’s Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics. “We are thrilled to work with
Roche to bring the GS Junior System into our laboratory. The system is perfectly sized for
our research and the long read lengths are critical to our particular areas of focus in
pathogen detection and viral/bacterial comparative genomics.”

“We are honored to support the Smithsonian Institution and the National Zoo’s animal
conservation projects, which are vital to the future health of our planet,” said Thomas
Schinecker, President of 454 Life Sciences, a Roche Company. “This collaboration
demonstrates the tremendous potential of our sequencing technology to broaden
understanding of all species on earth – from humans to plants and animals.”

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 2011, Roche had
over 80,000 employees worldwide and invested over 8 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group
posted sales of 42.5 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: http://www.roche.com.

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Center for Conservation and Evolutionary
Genetics

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute plays a key role in the Smithsonian’s
global efforts to understand and conserve species and train future generations of
conservationists. Headquartered in Front Royal, Va., SCBI facilitates and promotes
research programs based at Front Royal, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and at field
research stations and training sites worldwide.

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

454, 454 LIFE SCIENCES, 454 SEQUENCING, and GS FLX are trademarks of Roche.

All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

        For further information please contact:

        Roche Diagnostics 454 Life Sciences Corporation, a Roche Company

        Dr. Burkhard Ziebolz
        Phone: +49-8856-604830
        Email: burkhard.ziebolz@roche.com

        Katie Montgomery
        Phone: +1-203-871-2300
        Email: katie.montgomery@roche.com
        Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

        Lindsay Renick Mayer
        Phone : +1-202-633-3081
        Email: RenickMayerL@si.edu

SOURCE Roche Diagnostics GmbH