Roche Launches 454 Sequencing Assays for High Sensitivity Genetic Variant Detection in Leukemia Samples to Drive Blood Cancer Research Worldwide

BRANFORD, Connecticut, April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –

Roche announced today the launch and immediate availability of the GS GType
TET2/CBL/KRAS and the GS GType RUNX1 Primer Sets for comprehensive genetic variation
detection in four key human genes using the company’s 454 GS Junior
[http://my454.com/products/gs-junior-system/index.asp ] and GS FLX Systems
[http://www.454.com/products-solutions/product-list.asp ]. The sequence-based assays offer
a new solution for cancer researchers investigating the human TET2, CBL, KRAS and RUNX1
genes, which are known to be associated with developmental defects, disease progression,
and residual disease in a variety of leukemias and myeloid malignancies. The assays enable
deep sequencing of PCR amplicons covering key exon regions, and offer superior sensitivity
and time to result compared to traditional Sanger capillary sequencing approaches.

Blood cancers such as leukemia and other myeloproliferative disorders cause rapid,
abnormal growth of blood cells and are known to consist of a broad spectrum of subtypes.
Currently, a variety of techniques are available to characterize leukemia types, including
traditional Sanger capillary sequencing, cytogenetics, and cytomorphology, but are
expensive, time-consuming and, in some instances, fail to offer the depth of analysis or
sensitivity enabled by next-gen sequencing. Using the GS GType TET2/CBL/KRAS and the GS
GType RUNX1 Primer Sets with 454 Sequencing Systems, researchers can detect genetic
variants far below the Sanger limit of detection.

The assays, which include primer plates, protocols and dedicated analysis software,
have been co-developed with and extensively tested at the MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory
in Munich, Germany (http://www.mll.com). The GS GType TET2/CBL/KRAS Primer Set is the
result of the International Robustness of Next-Generation Sequencing (IRON) study[1].

“Blood cancers consist of widely varying subtypes which can be difficult to
characterize using traditional approaches,” said Thomas Schinecker, President of 454 Life
Sciences, a Roche Company. “We are pleased to offer a solution that leverages the
strengths of the GS FLX and GS Junior System to deliver long, high-quality sequencing
reads and enables better characterization of genetic variations in leukemia samples.”

The GS GType TET2/CBL/KRAS and the GS GType RUNX1 Primer Sets are the latest additions
to the menu of target-specific assays for the GS FLX and GS Junior Systems. Last year,
Roche launched the GS GType HLA Primer Sets for high-resolution HLA genotyping. The
company plans to continue to expand the menu of assays with future developments in areas
of virology, oncology and immunology.

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.

[1] Kohlmann A et al. Leukemia. 2011; 25(12): 1840-8.

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

454, 454 LIFE SCIENCES, 454 SEQUENCING, GS FLX, GS GTYPE and GS JUNIOR are trademarks
of Roche. All other product names and trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.

        For further information please contact:
        Roche Diagnostics
        Dr. Burkhard Ziebolz
        Phone: +49-8856-604830
        Email: burkhard.ziebolz@roche.com
        454 Life Sciences Corporation, a Roche Company
        Katie Montgomery
        Phone: +1-203-871-2300
        Email: katie.montgomery@roche.com

SOURCE Roche Diagnostics