{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\cocoartf949\cocoasubrtf430
{\fonttbl\f0\froman\fcharset0 TimesNewRomanPSMT;\f1\fswiss\fcharset0 ArialMT;}
{\margl1800\margr1600\margt500\margbl1440}
{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
Basel, 12 April 2006\line \line {\b Avastin filed in US for 
treatment of most common form of lung cancer} \line \line First medicine in 
a decade to show a survival benefit in this patient population\line \line Roche 
and Genentech announced today that they have filed Avastin in the US for the treatment of the most common 
form of lung cancer - non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer 
death worldwide.\line \line The supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) 
has been submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use of Avastin (bevacizumab) in 
combination with a platinum-based chemotherapy (carboplatin plus paclitaxel) for previously untreated 
patients suffering from advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 a\par}}  
In the US, NSCLC accounts for 87 percent of all lung cancers cases.\line \line Avastin 
is the first and only treatment in more than a decade to have shown a survival benefit in this patient 
population. The sBLA submission is based on Genentech\u8217?s analysis of the results of the pivotal E4599 
trial which were presented at ASCO last year{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1\par}} .\line \line \u8220?The 
filing of Avastin in the USA is a critical step forward. The benefits seen in the Avastin study are 
significant and we look forward to the potential of bringing new hope to the patients who are diagnosed 
with this specific type of lung cancer\u8221? said Ed Holdener, Head of Roche Pharmaceuticals Development. 
\u8220?We are committed to working with regulatory authorities around the world in order to make it available 
to patients suffering from lung cancer as soon as possible.\u8221? \line \line Roche has 
initiated a further study, the AVAiL trial, which is exploring the combination of Avastin with another 
platinum- based chemotherapy (cisplatin/gemcitabine). Interim data from this study will be used together 
with the E4599 data to file a Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) with the European health authorities 
later this year.\line \line Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, 
accounting for 1 in 3 and 1 in 4 cancer-related deaths in men and women, respectively. In the US, NSCLC 
accounts for 87 percent of all lung cancers. The majority of NSCLC cases are diagnosed at an advanced 
stage{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 2\par}}  when the cancer is inoperable or 
has already spread to another part of the body. In spite of the use of chemotherapy as the first-line 
treatment option, less than five percent of advanced NSCLC patients survive for five years and most 
die within twelve months{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 2\par}} . \line \line In 
Europe, Avastin was approved early 2005 for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic carcinoma 
of the colon or rectum in combination with intravenous 5-fluorouracil/folinic acid or intravenous 5-fluorouracil/folinic 
acid/irinotecan. Avastin received approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was launched 
in the US in February 2004. Avastin is the first and only anti-angiogenic agent to have demonstrated 
improved survival in the three major causes of cancer death: colorectal cancer, NSCLC and breast cancer.\line \line {\b About 
the pivotal (E4599) study} \line The submission is based on results from a randomised, 
controlled, multicenter Phase III trial (E4599) that enrolled 878 patients with locally advanced, metastatic 
or recurrent NSCLC with histology other than predominant squamous cell. The results showed that patients 
receiving Avastin at a dose of 15mg/kg every three weeks plus paclitaxel and carboplatin had a 25 percent 
improvement in overall survival, the trial\u8217?s primary endpoint, compared to patients who received chemotherapy 
alone (based on a hazard ratio of 0.80, which is equivalent to a 20 percent reduction in the risk of 
death). In median, the survival of patients treated with Avastin plus chemotherapy was 12.3 months, 
compared to 10.3 months for patients treated with chemotherapy alone{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1\par}} .\line \line The 
study also showed a 54 percent improvement in progression-free survival (or a hazard ratio of 0.65 which 
can also be referred to as a 35 percent reduction in the risk of progression). The response rate in 
patients with measurable disease was 29 percent in the group receiving Avastin plus chemotherapy, compared 
to 13 percent in the group receiving chemotherapy alone. Pulmonary haemorrhage (haemoptysis) cases were 
observed in 2.3% of the patients receiving Avastin plus chemotherapy.\line \line {\b About 
AVAiL} \line AVAiL is a randomised, controlled, multicenter international Phase III trial 
planning to enrol 1,050 patients with previously untreated advanced NSCLC and to explore two doses of 
Avastin (7.5 or 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks) in combination with a platinum doublet (gemcitabine/cisplatin) 
chemotherapy. The primary objective of the study is to demonstrate superiority in progression-free survival 
of both Avastin containing treatment arms versus control. Interim data from this study will be used 
to support the Roche filing of E4599 in Europe later this year. The final AVAiL data is expected in 
2007 and will only then enable definitive conclusions on the efficacy of the two doses of Avastin.\line \line {\b About 
Avastin} \line Avastin is the first treatment that inhibits angiogenesis \u8211? the growth 
of a network of blood vessels that supply nutrients and oxygen to cancerous tissues. Avastin targets 
a naturally occurring protein called VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), a key mediator of angiogenesis, 
thus choking off the blood supply that is essential for the growth of the tumour and its spread throughout 
the body (metastasis).\line \line Roche and Genentech are pursuing a comprehensive 
clinical programme investigating the use of Avastin in various tumour types (including colorectal, breast, 
lung, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, renal cell carcinoma and others) and different settings (advanced 
and adjuvant ie post-operation). The total development programme is expected to include over 25,000 
patients worldwide \line \line {\b About Roche} \line Headquartered 
in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world\u8217?s leading research-focused healthcare groups in the 
fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As a supplier of innovative products and services for the 
early detection, 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 
2005 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totalled 27.3 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division 
posted sales of 8.2 billion Swiss francs. Roche employs roughly 70,000 people in 150 countries and has 
R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership interests 
in Genentech and Chugai. Additional information about the Roche Group is available on the Internet (www.roche.com) (http://www.roche.com).\line \line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 {\super a}  
\u160?Regarding characterisation of lung cancer please refer to the respective backgrounder at the end 
of this release\line \line All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are 
protected by law.\par}\line \line {\b Additional information} \line - 
Lung Cancer (http://www.roche.com/med_mbackgrlungcancer.pdf)\line - Roche in Oncology (http://www.roche.com/mboncology-e.pdf)\line - 
Roche Health Kiosk, Cancer (http://www.health-kiosk.ch/start_krebs)\line \line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 References\line 1. 
Sandler AB, Gray R, Bhramer J, et al. Randomized phase II/III Trial of paclitaxel (P) plus carboplatin 
(C) with or without bevacizumab (NSC # 704865) in patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell 
lung cancer (NSCLC): An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Trial \u8211? E4599. ASCO 2005, Abstract 
LBA4.\line 2. Wilking N and Jonsson B. A Pan-European comparison regarding patient access 
to cancer drugs. Karolinska Institute in collaboration with Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm, 
Sweden, 2005.\par}\line 
{\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}
}