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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 20 September 2004\line \line {\b Bonviva: 
First once-a-month tablet regimen for the treatment of osteoporosis submitted in Europe\line } \line Roche 
and GlaxoSmithKline plc announced today the submission of a Marketing Authorisation Application to the 
European authorities for a novel, once-monthly oral formulation of their new bisphosphonate, Bonviva 
(ibandronate), for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. \line \line \u8220?Bonviva 
is expected to be the first once-monthly tablet for osteoporosis, potentially enhancing compliance for 
patients throughout Europe. It offers the efficacy of a bisphosphonate with the simple convenience of 
just 12 tablets a year," commented William M. Burns, Head of Roche Pharmaceuticals Division. "This 
follows the filing for the once monthly regimen in the US earlier this year and brings us a step closer 
to commercialising the first ever monthly oral formulation of any pharmaceutical brand.\u8221?\line \line The 
application is supported by clinical trial data (the MOBILE study), which investigated more convenient 
oral regimens of Bonviva for the treatment of osteoporosis. Both Bonviva doses studied (100 mg and 150 
mg monthly) were at least as effective as the daily regimen in increasing spine Bone Mineral Density 
(BMD), a commonly used marker of drug efficacy. \u160?Preliminary safety evaluation indicates that the 
monthly oral regimens were well tolerated. \line \line \u8220?A dosing regimen of just 
a single tablet once a month offers patients a new degree of freedom, potentially making it easier for 
them to \u160?take their therapy and stay on it,\u8221? observed Andrew Witty, President, Pharma Europe at 
GSK.\line \line The European Commission approved the once-daily formulation in February 
2004, and the companies have been exploring more convenient dosing options before launching the product. 
A supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for the once-monthly formulation was filed with the U.S. 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2004. \line \line {\b About 
Bonviva} \line Bonviva, a potent bisphosphonate, has been studied to date in clinical 
trials involving over 9,000 patients. The ongoing clinical development programme is evaluating monthly 
oral and bi-monthly/quarterly intravenous dosage regimens in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.\line \line Once 
daily Bonviva is indicated for the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women 
by reduction of elevated bone turnover, increasing bone mineral density and reduction of the incidence 
of vertebral fractures. \line \line {\b About the Roche/GSK Collaboration} \line In 
December 2001, Roche and GSK announced that they would co-develop and co-promote Bonviva for the treatment 
and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis in all countries, except Japan. \u160?The Roche/GSK collaboration 
provides expertise and commitment to bring new osteoporosis therapies to market as quickly as possible.\line \line {\b About 
Roche} \line Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world\u8217?s leading 
research-intensive healthcare groups. Its core businesses are pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a 
supplier of innovative products and services for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, 
the Group contributes on a broad range of fronts to improving people\u8217?s health and quality of life. Roche 
is number one in the global diagnostics market, the leading supplier of medicines for cancer and transplantation 
and a market leader in virology. In 2003, the Pharmaceuticals Division generated 19.8 billion Swiss 
francs in prescription drug sales, while the Diagnostics Division posted sales of 7.4 billion Swiss 
francs. Roche employs roughly 65,000 people in 150 countries and has R&D agreements and strategic 
alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai.\line  
\line {\b About GSK} \line GSK, one of the world's leading research-based 
pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling 
people to do more, feel better and live longer. \u160?\line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 All 
trademarks used or mentioned in this release are legally protected.\line \line Note 
to editors:\line - BMD (bone mineral density), measured by densitometry, gives an accurate 
and precise measurement of the amount of bone.\line - Bonviva, like other bisphosphonates 
administered orally, may cause upper gastrointestinal disorders such as dysphagia, esophagitis and esophageal 
or gastric ulcer.\line - Bonviva is a trademark of the Roche Group.\par}\line \line {\b Further 
information:} \line - www.gsk.com (http://www.gsk.com)\par}
{\pard \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 {\b F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd}\line 4070 Basel\line Switzerland \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 Corporate Communications\line Roche Group Media Relations \par}
{\pard\sb180\f1\fs22 Tel. +41 61 688 88 88\line Fax +41 61 688 27 75\line www.roche.com \par}
}