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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 21. January 2005\line \line {\b Roche 
to launch publicly accessible databases for clinical trials} \line \line Enhanced 
transparency through electronic databases for clinical trial protocol registration and reporting of 
results \line \line Roche announced today that it is establishing a global clinical 
trial protocol registry to disclose information about new Phase II to Phase IV studies at or before 
their start. In addition, the company will create a global clinical trial results database for key results 
from completed trials. \line The new registry and results database will enable the coordination 
of data Roche publishes and ensure that ultimately, there is one global source for all Roche-sponsored 
clinical trial data. Both the clinical trial registry and results database, which will be hosted by 
an independent, neutral entity, will be available to the public via a website by the end of the first 
quarter 2005. The name of the organisation will be announced in due time.\line \line Ed 
Holdener, Head of Global Pharma Development at Roche, commented: \u8220?Transparency on the results of its 
clinical studies has always been important to Roche. At the same time, it is important that we protect 
the safety and the rights of patients, and secure the quality and integrity of the data and related 
conclusions. Our current policy on the publication of clinical trial data will be further enhanced and 
consolidated by the creation of one electronic source of information. This clear and transparent approach 
is in the best interest of all parties involved.\u8221? \line \line The Roche approach 
is in accord with and even exceeds the information disclosure principles published earlier this year 
by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industry Associations (EFPIA).\line \line Roche 
has always been dedicated to transparency in clinical trials and publishes both positive and negative 
results of late stage development trials. The company is now committed to creating both a clinical trial 
results database to ensure health care providers have ready access to new information and a clinical 
trial registry to help patients and their physicians find clinical trials that may be appropriate for 
them. \line \line Clinical trial information will be added in a staged approach 
on the results database and will ultimately include protocol information from all Phase II to Phase 
IV clinical trials completed on or after October 1, 2004. In addition, data from all Phase II to Phase 
IV clinical trials for products marketed on or after October 1, 2002 will be included retrospectively.\line \line {\b The 
clinical trial protocol registry} \line The clinical trial registry will serve as a global 
repository for information on ongoing Phase II through Phase IV clinical studies. It will contain information 
in layman\u8217?s terms about each trial to inform the public, in particular patients and healthcare professionals, 
as to the trial\u8217?s purpose and conditions of participation. \line \line {\b The 
clinical trial results database} \line The clinical trial results database will ensure 
the fair and balanced reporting of all Roche-sponsored clinical trials that might affect the practice 
of medicine. \line Roche will also provide links to its global registry and database in local 
registries and databases, as appropriate and study results published in scientific journals will be 
referenced.\line \line {\b Strict adherence to regulations of clinical 
trials} \line Roche works to ensure that all its activities are performed in accordance 
with ethical and regulatory requirements. Moreover, Roche is strongly committed to verifying adherence 
to compliance policies. Adequate and ongoing peer review is a key prerequisite for maintaining high 
ethical standards in Roche\u8217?s clinical trials and development activities.\line \line In 
addition, Roche adheres to the \u8220?Declaration of Helsinki\u8221?, a statement developed by the World Medical 
Association on ethical principles to provide guidance to physicians and other participants in medical 
research involving human subjects. Roche also strictly follows the rules of good clinical practice (GCP), 
which ensure the protection of patients\u8217? safety and rights.\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 a world leader in Diagnostics, 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 {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 All 
trademarks used or mentioned in this release are legally protected.\par}\line \line {\b Further 
information} \line - Roche and clinical trials: http://www.roche.com/sus_res_clin\line - 
Clinical trials: http://www.roche.com/sci_events_facets_clinical \line - 
EFPIA position statement (http://www.efpia.org): http://www.efpia.org/4_pos/sci_regu/Clinicaltrials2005.pdf\line - 
Declaration of Helsinki (http://www.wma.net/e/policy/b3.htm): http://www.wma.net/e/policy/b3.htm \line \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}
}