Severin Schwan has been appointed as the new CEO and member of Corporate Executive Committee of Division Roche Diagnostics, effective from January 1, 2006. Severin Schwan is currently regional head of Asia-Pacific of Roche Diagnostics.

Board of Directors of Roche appointed the new CEO following the retirement of Heino von Prondzynski, CEO Division Roche Diagnostics. Also, Burkhard G. Piper has been appointed as a member of the Enlarged Corporate Executive Committee.

With the appointment of Severin Schwan and Burkhard G. Piper, Roche continues to rejuvenate our senior leadership team with highly qualified Roche managers feel Franz B. Humer, Chairman and CEO von Roche, stated a release.

Severin Schwan, an Austrian national has graduated in economics and also holds a doctorate in law. His career with Roche began in 1993 at the Corporate Finance department in Basle. After various international positions Severin Schwan became Head of Global Finance and Services for Roche Diagnostics, before he took over as Head of Region Asia Pacific for the diagnostics division.