For more than 100 years, Roche has demonstrated its commitment to product quality, scientific innovation and conscientious service.

Throughout its history, the Company has consistently introduced products and services that have dramatically improved the quality of life for people around the world.

Major milestones in the history of Roche Diagnostics:

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.

2002

Global roll-out of "MODULAR ANALYTICS SWA", the first commercially available serum work area to combine high-throughput clinincal chemistry and immunoassay testing on a single platform.

2002

Launch of  "Elecsys proBNP", the first commercial, fully-automoated 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 commercialise PCR-based diagnostic assays for the detection of veterinary pathogens.

2002

With the launch of "ProteoExpert", developed with Biomax Informatics of Germany, Roche Diagnostics now offers an internet-based datatbase for fast and secure protein expression.

2003

At the beginning of the year, Roche Diagnostics signs an agreement with "Affymetrix" granting 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 pharacogenomic cancer products based on Epigenomics' DANN-methylation technologies.

For a more detailed history of Roche Diagnostics worldwide, visit the Roche Diagnostics Global website.