INDIANAPOLIS, June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today the establishment of a strategic alliance with med fusion LLC in Lewisville, Texas, that designates the company as a Roche Molecular Center of Excellence (MCOE) for the next five years.

As a nationally recognized Roche MCOE, med fusion's molecular diagnostics laboratory will offer physicians and patients some of the latest and most advanced molecular technologies, such as Roche's cobas 4800 BRAF V600 Mutation Test, a companion diagnostic approved by the FDA in 2011 to identify patients who are eligible for treatment with the drug ZELBORAF (vemurafenib) for inoperable or metastatic melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.

Established in 2002, Roche's MCOE program is designed to create an alliance network that enables non-competing regional laboratories across the U.S. to collaborate and capitalize on scientific knowledge in molecular testing and, in turn, help accelerate the advancement of new test methods and technology.

"Roche is very pleased to welcome med fusion into the Molecular Center of Excellence alliance," said Whitney Green, senior vice president, molecular diagnostics at Roche Diagnostics Corporation. "We value their expertise and look forward to working together in implementing molecular technologies in the advancement of personalized medicine."

med fusion is one of 35 labs in the U.S. and three in Texas that have received this recognition and joined in this strategic partnership with Roche. "This relationship with Roche will help keep med fusion on the leading edge of technology and help ensure that we are supporting physicians and patients with the most advanced molecular technologies," said Dr. Thomas Lohmann, chief medical officer at med fusion. Keith Laughman, chief executive officer, added that the alliance "further supports med fusion's current and future collaborations as it continues to execute its targeted diagnostics initiatives."

About med fusion Headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, med fusion is an integrated, advanced laboratory and clinical trials service organization providing support to healthcare providers, biotech and pharmaceutical companies, through a patient-centric support model. Based in a 130,000- square foot facility, the company's clinical laboratory includes a dedicated test development and validation team to quickly meet the needs of clients. med fusion currently has over 300 well-trained employees, and a dedicated lab staff with an average of 16 years of experience.

About RocheHeadquartered 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 or http://www.roche-diagnostics.us.

COBAS is a trademark of Roche. All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law.

For further information, please contact:

RocheJennifer Zinn Vice President, Communications Roche Diagnostics Corporation Indianapolis, Indiana USA (317) 521-4245 jennifer.zinn@roche.com

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Roche Diagnostics enters strategic alliance with med fusion that recognizes company as a Roche Molecular Center of ...