| 1859
Foundation of C. F.
Boehringer & Soehne in Stuttgart, Germany
1896
Foundation of F.
Hoffmann-La Roche & Co in Basel, Switzerland
1919
Start of Roche's
biochemical research operations.
1946
Opening of a biochemical
research center in Tutzing, Upper Bavaria, by Boehringer Mannheim.
1953
Development of the first
test for measuring blood alcohol levels.
1955
Establishment of the terms
"Biochemica Boehringer" and "enzymatic diagnosis".
1956
Launch of "Glukotest", a
test stick for measuring glucose in urine.
1956
Introduction of the first
"test combination", a single pack containing all substances required
for the respective test.
1957
Introduction of the
"transaminase test" (GOT-UV).
1960
Development of the "GOD
method", the first enzymatic glucose assay.
1961
Launch of the "CKP test"
for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction.
1963
Launch of the "Combur
test" for simultaneous determination of glucose, protein and pH in
urine.
1968
Introduction of the
"Hemo-Glukotest" for the semi-quantitative determination of blood
glucose forms the basis for the subsequent Diabetes Care business.
1968
Roche establishes a
Diagnostics Division in Basel. Formation of "Tegimenta" in Zug,
Switzerland.
1970
Launch of the first
"gamma-GT" test.
1971
In Basel, the "Institute
for Immunology" is opened.
1971
Introduction of the
"Enterotube" for the simple identification of bacteria and of
"Pregmex" for pregnancy diagnosis.
1972
Construction of the
biochemical plant in Penzberg, Germany.
1974
Acquisition of Bio
Dynamics in Indianapolis by Boehringer Mannheim and formation of
Labora AG.
1974
Acquisition of Kontron AG,
Zurich, by Roche.
1974
Launch of the "Reflomat"
("Stat Tek") for quantitative measurement of blood glucose.
1975
Research in molecular
biology is started in Tutzing, Germany.
1977
Launch of the first
"Enzymun digoxin" test.
1978
Boehringer Mannheim and
Hitachi enter into a global strategic alliance for the development
and marketing of analytical systems for clinical laboratories.
1978
Roche introduces the
"Cobas Bio" system for clinical chemistry.
1978
Launch of the "Reflotest
Hypoglycemie" for measuring reduced blood sugar levels.
1979
Development of the
"Urotron" system permits semi-automated urinalysis.
1981
Introduction of "Autoclix"
for obtaining capillary blood samples.
1982
Launch of "Cobas Fibro",
the world's first semi-automated system for the analysis of blood
clotting.
1982
The "Combur 9" test, a
nine-parameter urine test stick, represents a new high in test stick
technique.
1983
"Reflolux", subsequently
also known as "Accu-Chek", is the first device that allows patients
to monitor their own blood glucose levels themselves.
1984
Roche Diabetes Care
develops individually customizable computer-generated diets for
people with diabetes.
1985
Introduction of the "ES
600", the first fully-mechanized analytical system for immunoassays.
1985
World premiere for
"Reflotron", the highly innovative device for use in doctor's
offices. In the same year, the company is awarded German industry's
Innovation Price for "Reflotron".
1986
Roche launches the first
HIV test on the market.
1989
Development of "Enzymun"
tests, an immunology system for measuring blood parameters.
1990
Launch of "Troponin T" for
the diagnosis of coronary changes and the early detection of
heart-attacks.
1990
Introduction of the
"Micral test", the first immunological test stick for detecting
microalbuminuria in diabetes or hypertension.
1991
Roche acquires the rights
to the "PCR technology" from Cetus Corporation.
1991
Formation of "Roche
Molecular Systems" (now: "Roche Molecular Diagnostics") in Alameda,
California.
1991
Launch of the "Cobas
Core", the first fully-automated analyzer for immunochemistry and
introduction of the "Miditron M", a device for semi-automated
urinalysis.
1992
The "AMPLICOR" Chlamydia
trachomatis" and the "AMPLICOR HIV-1" are the first PCR standard
tests for use in clinical diagnosis.
1993
Launch of "AMPLICOR HCV"
(PCR-based hepatitis C virus test).
1993
Award of the first series
of patents for the "TaqMan" technology to Roche Molecular Systems.
1994
Expansion of the
"Accu-Chek" product range with "Accusport", "Accu-Chek Advantage"
and "Accu-Chek Instant".
1994
With its "Coagu Chek"
system for monitoring blood clotting, Roche introduces the second
system for patient self-monitoring.
1994
The Japanese Red Cross and
Roche Molecular Systems enter into an official partnership for the
PCR-based screening of blood samples.
1995
The first quantitative PCR
kits, "AMPLICOR HIV-1 Monitor" and "AMPLICOR HCV Monitor" are
launched on markets outside the USA.
1995
Launch of the COBAS
INTEGRA family
1996
Introduction of the
"Elecsys System" for Immunodiagnosis, based on the principle of
electrochemiluminescence.
1998
One year after the
acquisition of the Corange Group by Roche, the strengthened
Diagnostics Division reaches the number one position in the global
market.
1998
The new "Light Cycler"
system sets the standard for rapid online PCR analysis in real time.
1999
Launch of the "MODULAR", a
flexible, scalable analytical system for large laboratories.
2000
Acquisition of the Medical
Instrument division of AVL strengthens Roche Diagnostics position in
the Near Patient Testing business.
2001
Development and launch of
a "BSE-Test" in cooperation with Prionics, Switzerland.
2001
Formation of an alliance
with deCODE, Iceland in the field of genetic research.
2001
Acquisition of Amira
Medical, a corporation active in the diabetes monitoring business.
2001
Launch of a rapid "anthrax
test", developed through collaboration between Roche Diagnostics and
Mayo Clinic.
2002
Launch of COBAS INTEGRA
400 plus.
2002
"Mellibase", an on-line
service package and novel program for risk assessment and treatment
prognosis in diabetes, is being used clinically for the first time
in pilot studies.
2002
Global roll-out of
"MODULAR ANALYTICS SWA", the first
commercially available serum work area to combine high-throughput
clinical chemistry and immunoassay testing on a single platform.
2002
Launch of "Elecsys
proBNP", the first commercial, fully-automated test for diagnosing
congestive heart failure (CHF) and monitoring patients' response to
treatment.
2002
Roche Diagnostics acquires
from Institut Pasteur a broad portfolio of patents pertaining to the
early detection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), one of the leading
causes for cervical cancer.
2002
Roche Applied Science, a
business area of Roche Diagnostics and IDEXX Laboratories, the world
leader in veterinary diagnostics, announce their collaboration to
develop and commercialize PCR-based diagnostic assays for the
detection of veterinary pathogens.
2002
With the launch of
"ProteoExpert" that was developed together with Biomax Informatics
of Germany, Roche Diagnostics now offers an Internet-based database
service for fast and secure protein expression.
2003
At the beginning of the
year, Roche Diagnostics signs an agreement with "Affymetrix" that
grants Roche Diagnostics non-exclusive rights to Affymetrix`s array
and instrument technologies for up to 18 years.
2003
In February, Roche
announces its plans to acquire the medical device supplier
"Disetronic", the world`s second-biggest maker of insulin pumps,
based in Burgdorf, Switzerland.
2003
In March, Roche
Diagnostics announces a three-year collaboration with the German
company "Epigenomics" to develop a range of molecular diagnostic and
pharmacogenomic cancer products based on Epigenomics`
DANN-methylation technologies.
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