Exhibit 99.1


(IGEN INTERNATIONAL, INC. LOGO)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16020 Industrial Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877 USA
                                  Telephone: (301) 869-9800, Fax: (301) 208-3798

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:

                                                                           
George Migausky                         Jonathan Fassberg (investors)            Paul Caminiti or Andrew Cole (media)
IGEN International, Inc.                The Trout Group                          Citigate Sard Verbinnen
(301) 869-9800, ext. 2013               (212) 477-9007, ext. 16                  (212) 687-8080




                 IGEN ANNOUNCES FILING OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                              FOR ROCHE TRANSACTION

GAITHERSBURG, Md., September 29, 2003 -- IGEN International, Inc. (Nasdaq: IGEN)
announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, BioVeris Corporation, has
filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange
Commission relating to the previously announced transaction with Roche Holding
Ltd. This registration statement contains a preliminary version of the proxy
statement/prospectus that, once final, will be mailed to IGEN stockholders in
connection with a special meeting of stockholders to vote on the proposed merger
and any other matters that might be presented at the meeting. The proxy
statement/prospectus will be mailed after the SEC declares the registration
statement effective.

BioVeris, which was previously called IGEN Integrated Healthcare, LLC, is the
company that was referred to as "Newco" in the definitive agreements relating to
the transaction with Roche. As previously disclosed, if the transaction with
Roche is completed, IGEN stockholders will be entitled to receive $47.25 in
cash, without interest, and one share of BioVeris common stock for each share of
IGEN common stock they own.

Investors and security holders are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus
regarding the transaction with Roche because it contains important information.
Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the proxy
statement/prospectus and other documents filed by BioVeris and IGEN with the SEC
at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. The proxy statement/prospectus and these
other documents may also be obtained for free from IGEN by directing a request
to IGEN International, Inc., 16020 Industrial Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20877,
(301) 869-9800, Attention: Secretary.

IGEN, its directors, and certain of its executive officers may be considered
participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the transaction
with Roche. Information about the directors and executive officers of IGEN and
their ownership of IGEN stock is set forth in IGEN's Proxy Statement with
respect to its Annual Meeting for the year ended March 31, 2003. Investors may
obtain additional information regarding the interests of such participants by
reading the proxy statement/prospectus.

IGEN develops and markets biological detection systems based on its proprietary
ORIGEN technology, which provides a unique combination of sensitivity,
reliability, speed and flexibility. ORIGEN-based systems are used in a wide
variety of applications, including clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical research
and development, life science research, biodefense testing and testing for food
safety and quality control. These systems are marketed by IGEN and its licensees
and/or distributors. IGEN, M-SERIES and ORIGEN are registered trademarks of IGEN
International, Inc. More information about the company can be found at
http://www.igen.com.

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about
revenue growth, market acceptance of new products, litigation and business
operations. Actual results might differ materially from these statements due to
risks and uncertainties, including those associated with competitive products,
market acceptance of products and market conditions. More complete descriptions
of the risks applicable to IGEN appear in the company's documents filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and available on request from the company.
IGEN disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking
statements.

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