Results indicated that, overall, the ACCU-CHEK Aviva and ACCU-CHEK CompactPlus blood glucose monitoring systems and the ACCU-CHEK Multiclix, ACCU-CHEKSoftclix and ACCU-CHEK Softclix Plus lancing devices were least painful whencompared to competitors. Those competitors were:

System Lancing Device Ascensia(R) Contour(R) Microlet(R)/Vaculance(R) Freestyle Freedom(R) TheraSense(R) Freestyle(R) OneTouch(R) Ultra(R)2 LifeScan UltraSoft(R) "We are pleased a recent study confirms that our products are perceived asleast painful for all three testing sites included in the study-finger, palmand forearm," said Roche Director of Product Marketing Jennifer Aspy. "Ourpatented, precision-guided technology is what makes the difference becausethere is no vibration when the lancet enters or exits the skin."

Aspy added that this vibration, which occurs with conventional technology,causes side-to-side motion. This motion coupled with the lancet stoppingabruptly and then bouncing back result in painful tissue damage. Thetechnology used in the ACCU-CHEK products works in an entirely different wayto greatly reduce this painful damage. ACCU-CHEK lancing devices also offer 11depth settings, so patients can find a lancing depth to match their skin type.This customized depth penetration avoids painful nerve endings. Andhigh-quality ACCU-CHEK lancets use comfortable, thin 28- and 30-gauge lancetswith beveled tips. Lower-quality lancets use larger needles, and many lack thebeveled tips, causing skin trauma.

The study consisted of 165 subjects who tested at home at least 3 times aday for 36 days, testing on each site-finger, palm and forearm-with each ofthe 3 competitor brands and 1 of the ACCU-CHEK products. After testing wascompleted, responses by subjects to the products were compared. In a secondexperiment in a laboratory setting, the ACCU-CHEK Multiclix and ACCU-CHEKSoftclix Plus lancing devices were compared individually to competitor lancingdevices.

"There is no question that better management of diabetes results in betteroutcomes for the patient," Aspy said. "By offering a lancing device thatresults in least painful testing, we are helping to remove one of the barriersto adequate testing for improved diabetes management."

The comparative pain study was conducted by Dr. Richard Koubek, of Koubekand Associates, on behalf of Roche.

About Roche Diabetes Care

Roche Diabetes Care is a pioneer in the development of blood glucosemonitoring systems and a global leader for diabetes management systems andservices. For more than 30 years, Roche has been committed to helping peoplewith diabetes live lives that are as normal and active as possible and hasbeen helping healthcare professionals manage their patients' condition in anoptimal way. Today, the ACCU-CHEK portfolio offers people with diabetes andhealthcare professionals innovative products, services and comprehensivesolutions for convenient, efficient and effective diabetes management-fromblood glucose monitoring through information management to insulin delivery.The ACCU-CHEK brand encompasses blood glucose meters, infusion pumps, lancingand data management systems.

For more information, please visit accu-chek.com.

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leadingresearch-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals anddiagnostics. As the world's largest biotech company and an innovator ofproducts and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis andtreatment of diseases, the Roche Group contributes on a broad range of frontsto improving people's health and quality of life. Roche is the world leader inin vitro diagnostics and drugs for cancer and transplantation as well as amarket leader in virology. It is also active in other major therapeutic areas,such as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory and metabolic disorders and diseasesof the central nervous system. In 2007, sales by the Pharmaceuticals Divisiontotaled 36.8 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division posted salesof 9.3 billion francs. Roche has R&D agreements and strategic alliances withnumerous partners-including majority ownership interests in Genentech andChugai-and has invested over 8 billion Swiss francs in R&D in 2007. Worldwide,the Roche employs about 79,000 people. Additional information is available onthe Internet at roche-diagnostics.us.

For further information, please contact: Julie Vincent Public Relations Consultant Roche julie.vincent@roche.com 317-521-1910SOURCE Roche Diabetes Care