Roche : launches innovative Accu-Chek Guide blood glucose monitoring system, which makes every step of testing easy

Basel, 23 August 2016

Roche launches innovative Accu-Chek Guide blood glucose monitoring system, which makes every step of testing easy

• To simplify everyday diabetes routines, the Accu-Chek Guide system offers a new spill-resistant SmartPack vial and a unique strip design with a large easy-edge dosing area
• Wireless connectivity to the Accu-Chek Connect mobile app and the cloud-based diabetes management system enables easy handling of important diabetes data and remote monitoring
• The Accu-Chek Guide system's advanced accuracy enables reliable diabetes management

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) today announced the launch of the Accu-Chek® Guide, the next-generation blood glucose monitoring system. This new system is designed to make everyday blood glucose (BG) monitoring easier with features such as the spill-resistant SmartPack test strip vial, which helps users to remove just one strip at a time and avoid spillage or contamination. The Accu-Chek Guide system also provides for advanced accuracy, which enables reliable diabetes management. 'As the global leader in diabetes management we are dedicated to supporting people with diabetes, in thinking less about their daily therapy routines. We are very excited to introduce this innovative system, that simplifies blood glucose monitoring and improves the testing experience,' said Roland Diggelmann, CEO Roche Diagnostics. First markets to launch the new system are Denmark, Switzerland and Australia. Morecountries will follow subsequently starting in early 2017.

The Accu-Chek Guide system enables on-board pattern detection that helps to increase awareness of too high or too low glucose readings as well as Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity to the Accu-Chek Connect diabetes management solution via a mobile app. This cloud-based solution guarantees a secure online data exchange and automatic data logging. People with diabetes, caregivers, and healthcare providers can share diabetes information virtually anywhere for timely advice and remote monitoring. Such telemedicine solutions can help people with diabetes and their caregivers manage diabetes more efficiently and give them peace of mind and a feeling of relief. Hence, 97% of 197 participants in a recently published study from France and the US agreed that the system was very easy to use and offers a better testing experience.

The Accu-Chek Guide system not only fulfills current accuracy standards but delivers even tighter 10/10 accuracy for more reliable results. Consistently accurate measurements are essential for reliable BG monitoring and deriving the correct therapy decisions. Large deviations of the measured BG values from the true glucose levels can result in higher HbA1c levels, glycemic excursions and markedly increased rates of hypoglycemic events, as a recently published retrospective study revealed. In addition, studies have demonstrated that only about half of the BG meters evaluated meet the minimum accuracy requirements as defined by the ISO 15197:2013/EN ISO 15197:2015 standard.

About Roche Diabetes Care

Roche Diabetes Care is a pioneer in the development of blood glucose monitoring systems and a global leader for diabetes management systems and services. For more than 40 years, the Accu-Chek brand has been dedicated to enable people with diabetes to live life as normal and active as possible as well as to empower healthcare professionals manage their patients' condition in an optimal way. Today, the Accu-Chek portfolio offers people with diabetes and healthcare professionals innovative products and impactful solutions for convenient, efficient and effective diabetes management. It encompasses blood glucose meters, insulin delivery systems, lancing devices, data management systems and education programs - contributing to an improved medical outcome.

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

About Roche

Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives.

Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare - a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.

Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. Twenty-nine medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Roche has been recognised as the Group Leader in sustainability within the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences Industry seven years in a row by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices.

The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2015 employed more than 91,700 people worldwide. In 2015, Roche invested CHF 9.3 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 48.1 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com