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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 26 April 2006\line \line {\b Roche 
showed continued strong sales growth in the first quarter 2006 \u8211? sales up by 15%\line \line } Release 
as PDF: \u160?English (http://www.roche.com/mr1q06e.pdf) 
\u160?\u160?\u160?\u160?\u160?German (http://www.roche.com/mr1q06d.pdf) \u160?\u160?\u160?\u160?\u160?French (http://www.roche.com/mr1q06f.pdf) 
\u160?\u160?\u160?\u160?\u160?Spanish (http://www.roche.com/mr1q06sp.pdf)\par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Presentation 
as PDF: English only (http://www.roche.com/irp1q06e.pdf)\line \par}{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 \line {\b Roche 
Group} \line \u8226? Group sales grew 15% in local currencies and 22% in Swiss francs to 9.8 
billion Swiss francs\line \u8226? Pharmaceutical sales up 19%, three times the global market growth 
rate \line \u8226? Outlook for 2006: Group poised for further strong year-on-year growth\line \line {\b Pharmaceuticals 
Division} \line \u8226? Sales rose 19% in local currencies and 26% in Swiss francs\line \u8226? 
Sales of the division\u8217?s successful cancer medicines grew very strongly, advancing 52%* \line \u8226? 
Rheumatoid arthritis indication for MabThera/Rituxan launched in the US\line \u8226? CERA in renal 
anemia filed in the US\line \u8226? Herceptin filed in major markets for treatment of early HER-2 
positive breast cancer\line \u8226? Tamiflu sales continue to grow strongly (+37%)\line \u8226? 
First filings for Avastin and Tarceva in Japan\line \u8226? Positive phase III results from study 
with Xeloda in stomach cancer\line \u8226? New data confirm that adding Avastin to standard chemotherapy 
doubles progression-free survival in advanced breast cancer patients\line \line {\b Diagnostics 
Division} \line \u8226? Sales rose 3% in local currencies and 8% in Swiss francs\line \u8226? 
Immunochemistry portfolio generates solid double digit growth (+16%) \line \u8226? Maturation of 
Accu-Chek Advantage impacted Diabetes Care sales as anticipated \u8212? new Accu-Chek portfolio performing 
well in the marketplace\line \u8226? New sepsis test launched and automated blood screening system 
cleared for marketing in Europe\line \line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 * Unless 
otherwise stated, all percentage changes are period-over-period changes and are based on results in 
local currencies.\par}\line \line \line Commenting 
on the Group\u8217?s performance in the first quarter of 2006, Roche Chairman and CEO Franz B. Humer said: 
\u8216?Roche commenced the year with an outstanding quarter and all growth drivers continued last year\u8217?s strong 
performance. Sales growth was primarily driven by our novel cancer medicines with proven survival benefits, 
and Tamiflu was also a major contributor to growth. US approval of the first rheumatoid arthritis indication 
for MabThera/Rituxan and the progress we have made in developing Actemra are major milestones for our 
emerging autoimmune disease franchise. The molecular diagnostics business and immunochemistry portfolio 
continued to be the main growth drivers for our Diagnostics Division. We expect sales in this division 
to accelerate over the next several quarters.\u8217?\line \line \line \line {\b Roche 
Group} \line \line 
		 20062005% Change% Change
	
		Sales from January to March1m CHFmCHFIn CHFIn local currencies
	
		Pharmaceuticals Division7,7396,155+26+19
	
		        Roche 4,8213,859+25 +19
	
		        Genentech 2,0561,341+53+40
	
		        Chugai 862955-10-8
	
		Diagnostics Division2,0911,935+8+3
	
		Roche Group9,8308,090+22+15
	\line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1 
See attachment to this release for details on quarterly sales growth.\par}\par}Roche posted 
sales of 9.8 billion Swiss francs in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of 15% in local currencies 
and 22% in Swiss francs (+11% in US dollars) over the same period last year. This continued the strong 
double-digit growth reported for full-year 2005. First quarter sales in the Pharmaceuticals Division 
increased 19% (+26% in Swiss francs). The Diagnostics Division maintained its leading market position 
with sales growth of 3% (+8% in Swiss francs).\line \line {\b Positive 
outlook for 2006} \line Barring unforeseen events, Roche expects full-year sales and income 
for 2006 to be up significantly from 2005. The Group reaffirms the outlook announced at its annual media 
conference: Sales in both the Pharmaceuticals and the Diagnostics Division are expected to grow ahead 
of the market in local currencies, and we anticipate continued double-digit growth for the Pharmaceuticals 
Division and the Group as a whole. Sales growth rates in the second half of the year are expected to 
be comparable to those in the first half. Our target is for core earnings per share and non-voting equity 
security to grow at least in line with sales.\line \line \line \line {\b Pharmaceuticals 
Division} \line \line {\b Key products continue 
to deliver strong growth} \line In the first quarter of 2006 sales in the Pharmaceuticals 
Division rose 19% in local currencies (+26% in Swiss francs), again growing three times as fast as the 
market. Much of this growth came from the Group\u8217?s oncology portfolio, which showed again a significant 
increase in sales for all its key products, including Herceptin, Avastin, MabThera, Tarceva and Xeloda. 
Overall sales of the oncology portfolio showed an outstanding growth of 52%. Pandemic stockpiling by 
governments of the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu was also a significant contributor to growth. Regional 
pharmaceutical sales growth continues to far outpace market growth in North America (+24% vs. 5%) and 
Europe (+24% vs. 7%). Japan experienced a sales decline (-8%), due to seasonal shifts in Tamiflu sales 
and trade stock adjustments in anticipation of government price cuts, which became effective on 1 April. 
\line \line {\b Oncology \u8211? demand up strongly for whole portfolio} \line First-quarter 
sales of Roche\u8217?s top-selling product, MabThera/Rituxan, for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 
(NHL), were up by 16%. Sales showed particularly impressive growth in Europe/Rest of World{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1\par}}  
(+30%). The European authorities are currently reviewing a marketing application to expand the product's 
indications to include maintenance treatment of relapsed indolent NHL filed in December 2005. Genentech 
received FDA approval for first-line treatment of aggressive NHL and filed for first-line treatment 
of the indolent form.\line \line Worldwide sales of Herceptin, the only targeted 
treatment approved for use in advanced HER2-positive breast cancer, have effectively doubled in the 
first quarter 2006 compared with the same period last year. Strong growth was achieved in all major 
markets. Based on exceptionally strong data on Herceptin\u8217?s benefits in early-stage HER2-positive breast 
cancer, US and EU filings for this indication took place in February 2006. As a result of the impressive 
data, Herceptin is already being used in some countries in the early-stage (adjuvant) setting. \line \line Avastin, 
a novel cancer therapy with demonstrated survival benefits in metastatic colorectal, breast and lung 
cancer, also posted strong sales growth in the US and Europe (+141%). Avastin was just filed in the 
US for the most common form of lung cancer. The first filing for Avastin in Japan has also been submitted 
this month for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. Furthermore, regulatory filings in advanced 
NSCLC in Europe and in advanced breast cancer in Europe and the US are on track for later this year. 
Broadening the current label in metastatic colorectal cancer to include more chemotherapeutic options 
is also planned in Europe.\line  \line Tarceva, a novel targeted drug that has been 
shown to extend the lives of patients with advanced NSCLC and pancreatic cancer patients, achieved high 
sales growth of 182%. Only 12 months after the launch in first countries, sales in Europe/RoW made up 
already more than 30% of total sales while the roll-out in further markets is progressing on-track. 
The filing for advanced NSCLC in Japan has just been submitted to the authorities this month. The EU 
regulators are currently reviewing a filing for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer submitted 
in October 2005.\line \line Xeloda has achieved outstanding worldwide sales resulting 
in a growth of 35%. All regions contributed to this strong increase, in particular the US (+40%) and 
Europe/RoW (+34%). Sales were positively impacted by further growth in the area of post-surgical (adjuvant) 
use in colon cancer patients, an indication approved and launched last year in the EU and US. Future 
filings include stomach cancer and a combination therapy with Avastin in first-line metastatic colorectal 
cancer.\line \line {\b Anemia \u8211? good growth maintained in Europe} \line Sales 
of Roche\u8217?s NeoRecormon and Chugai\u8217?s Epogin, for the treatment of anemia, achieved a combined growth 
of 3%, despite declining Epogin sales in Japan in anticipation of the bi-annual across-the-board price 
cuts there. Sales of NeoRecormon were up 6% in Europe/RoW.\line \line {\b Transplantation 
\u8211? CellCept remains leading immunosuppressant} \line The transplant portfolio achieved 
further robust growth as sales rose 14% for the quarter. CellCept, the world\u8217?s top-selling branded immunosuppressant, 
maintained strong double digit growth (+15%), driven by good performance especially in the US (+32%). 
\line \line {\b Virology \u8211? Tamiflu sales remain strong } \line Sales 
of Tamiflu grew by 37% over last year, driven by pandemic deliveries. Japanese Tamiflu sales were down 
from the first quarter of 2005 because the flu season 2005/2006 started earlier with already considerable 
sales in the fourth quarter of 2005. More than 65 countries have already placed orders for pandemic 
stocks of Tamiflu. Roche has continued to ramp up production capacity for Tamiflu and will be able to 
produce 400 million treatment courses annually from the end of 2006 significantly exceeding orders that 
have been received from governments to date. This has been achieved by using a collaborative network 
of Roche's facilities and those of a number of independent companies. In March an additional sub-license 
to manufacture oseltamivir, the active ingredient of Tamiflu, for China was granted to the HEC group. 
Research into the most effective utilisation of Tamiflu against the H5N1 virus, both internally and 
through collaborations with outside scientists and physicians and the WHO, continues.\line \line Pegasys 
sales increased slightly in the first quarter, against a background of declining prescriptions for hepatitis 
C in the US and a number of European countries. In addition, US sales were affected by an adjustment 
in wholesaler inventory levels following a price increase late last year. However, Pegasys still commands 
a stable US market share of above 60% and remains the world\u8217?s leading treatment for chronic hepatitis 
C. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence in the UK (NICE) has recommended Pegasys as first-line 
choice for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B supporting the superior efficacy and cost effectiveness 
of Pegasys compared to the previous standard of care. As anticipated, Copegus sales saw a marked decline, 
mainly due to the emergence of generic competition in the US.\line \line The HIV 
medicine Fuzeon continues its consistent growth trend with sales increasing in the first quarter by 
36%. Growth remains strongest in Europe/RoW (+60%).\line \line {\b Other 
products \u8211? Bonviva rolling out in Europe } \line Sales of once monthly oral Bonviva/Boniva 
for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis reached 75 million Swiss francs. Sales came predominantly 
from the US, with product launches set to continue in a number of European markets this year. In the 
past quarter, Roche/GSK received FDA and EU approval for the quarterly Bonviva/Boniva injection, an 
alternative formulation for women for whom oral bisphosphonates are not appropriate. \line \line Xenical 
performed well in the first quarter with sales growth of 16%. Sales were up both in the US (+24%) and 
in Europe/RoW (+14%). \line \line Overall Rocephin sales declined substantially 
(-69%), in line with expectations. Following its US patent expiry in July 2005 sales declined by 96% 
in the quarter, in Europe/RoW sales were 24% lower.\line \line {\b Major 
development activities} \line In 2006 Roche already received four approvals in major indications 
and submitted six major filings to regulatory authorities worldwide. In addition, the company\u8217?s late-stage 
clinical development projects showed further progress with an impressive 45 phase III projects going 
ahead as planned or have been successfully completed in the first quarter.\line \line {\b Autoimmune 
diseases} \line A significant milestone for MabThera/Rituxan was achieved with the approval 
in the US for its first rheumatoid arthritis indication. One treatment course comprising two infusions 
offers lasting benefit to many rheumatoid arthritis patients who have had an unsatisfactory outcome 
with current biological treatment options. Most patients in the trials who received additional courses 
did so six months after the previous course. A regulatory filing was submitted to European authorities 
in September 2005.\line \line Since end 2005/early 2006, patient recruitment is 
ongoing in the MabThera phase III programme for patients who have had an inadequate response or who 
are intolerant to treatment with one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including 
two trials specifically studying the effect of further courses. Last month Genentech announced that 
a next generation anti-CD20 humanised monoclonal antibody (ocrelizumab) phase II study in rheumatoid 
arthritis met its primary endpoint and showed clinical activity in all dose levels studied. The development 
of Actemra (formerly known as MRA) for rheumatoid arthritis is progressing well with more than 2,500 
of the targeted 4,100 patients already recruited for the international phase III programme. The results 
of a second Japanese phase III study confirmed earlier results in showing significant improvements in 
slowing down joint damage. Chugai will submit a filing for Actemra to Japanese regulators shortly.\line \line {\b Oncology} \line The 
development programme with Avastin is investigating the medicine in a broad range of cancers, including 
renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. Trials to expand the options 
for combining Avastin with other chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of metastatic colorectal 
cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and metastatic breast cancer are also ongoing. In addition, 
preparations are underway to start phase III trials in the adjuvant indication of NSCLC and breast cancer, 
and Genentech recently started recruiting into an adjuvant rectal cancer study. The result of the review 
process regarding the adjuvant colon cancer study (AVANT) is expected in May. A Xeloda trial in advanced 
gastric cancer has met its primary endpoint showing it to be at least as effective as current therapy. 
This followed positive survival data seen in a Xeloda study in pancreatic cancer. The phase III programmes 
of MabThera/Rituxan in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL), Herceptin in gastric cancer, Xeloda in metastatic 
colorectal cancer and adjuvant colon and breast cancer, and Tarceva in NSCLC and glioblastoma are on 
track. In addition, Roche expects data on the use of Herceptin in combination with hormonal therapy 
in metastatic breast cancer during 2006.\line \line {\b Anemia} \line The 
first filing of CERA, the first Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activator for the treatment of anemia 
in chronic kidney disease was submitted to the US authorities in April having completed the largest 
development programme undertaken for this indication. The programme involved four phase III studies 
which investigated the outcome of converting renal anaemia patients from existing erythropoeitin stimulating 
agents to CERA at extended dosing intervals and two phase III studies which investigated the treatment 
(correction) of anaemia in previously untreated patients in comparison to standard treatments. The European 
filing for CERA is due to follow imminently. In the oncology setting, Roche has started recruiting patients 
for an additional dose-optimisation study. \line \line {\b Strong R&D 
pipeline} \line As of March 31, Roche has 59 new molecular entities (NME\u8217?s) and 53 additional 
indications (AI) in its R&D pipeline (phase 0-3). During the first quarter of 2006, the following 
changes in the pipeline occurred: Phase I - one project moved in and two projects were discontinued, 
Phase II \u8211? two projects newly entered and two projects were discontinued, and Phase III \u8211? five projects 
newly entered and one project received regulatory approval. There were no discontinuations in phase 
III during the period. A complete overview of the Roche Pharma R&D pipeline is available on the 
Internet.\line \line \line \line {\b Diagnostics 
Division} \line \line Above market sales in Europe, Asia and 
Latin America\line The Diagnostics Division increased its sales by 3% in local currencies 
(8% in Swiss francs) in the first quarter of 2006. The division\u8217?s molecular diagnostics business and 
immunodiagnostics portfolio continued to be the main growth factors, with Applied Science and Near Patient 
Testing also delivering solid performances. Double-digit sales gains were posted in Asia Pacific and 
Iberia/Latin America, and above-market growth in the high single digits was recorded in the EMEA region 
(Europe, Middle East and Africa). In the relatively flat market environment in Japan, Roche Diagnostics 
continued to grow ahead of the market. In the US, revenues were down owing to erosion of Accu-Chek Advantage 
sales.\line \line \line Diabetes Care \u8211? new Accu-Chek generation gaining 
momentum\line Sales of Diabetes Care (-5%) were affected by the performance of the Accu-Chek 
Advantage in the US. The recent launch of the successor product, Accu-Chek Aviva, has so far only partially 
made up for declining US sales of the Advantage system. The launch of the integrated test strip system, 
Accu-Chek Compact Plus, in the US and Canada will help to further expand Roche\u8217?s market leadership position 
in this fast growing segment. High placements of Accu-Chek Aviva in North America, EMEA, and now also 
in Japan, are contributing to regaining market share and compensating for the decline in Accu-Chek Advantage 
sales. The Accu-Chek Smart Pix Device Reader has been launched globally. It allows people with diabetes 
and Health Care Professionals to view blood glucose readings and insulin doses. With this, Accu-Chek 
products further cover overall diabetes care management.\line \line Centralized 
Diagnostics \u8211?immunochemistry sales up strongly\line Maintaining its leading market position 
sales of Centralized Diagnostics grew by 7%. The immunochemistry business continued to be the main growth 
driver, with Elecsys products posting an impressive 16% increase in sales. Continued rising demand for 
the Elecsys proBNP cardiac assay was just one of the factors contributing to increased Elecsys sales.\line In 
2006 the business area is focused on rolling out its cobas 6000 series, the first of the next generation 
of modular analytical systems for medium-sized laboratories.\line \line Molecular 
Diagnostics \u8211? new sepsis test available in Europe\line This business area increased its sales 
by 7%. The major focus for 2006 will be the EU launch and US FDA filing for the new automated cobas 
s 201 modular blood screening system and more comprehensive cobas TaqScreen MPX test which simultaneously 
detects HIV and hepatitis C and B viruses in donated blood. This test received the CE Mark (\u8220?Conformit\u233?e 
Europ\u233?enne\u8221?) in March. The LightCycler SeptiFast Test was launched in Europe in January and can rapidly 
and reliably detect and identify 25 different sepsis-causing pathogens - including bacteria and fungi 
- which cause approximately 90 percent of all sepsis cases. This new test opens up a whole new dimension 
in the management of \u8220?blood poisoning\u8221? as rapid initiation of targeted treatment is crucial in this 
condition.\line \line {\b Near Patient Testing \u8211? new coagulation monitoring 
system on the market} \line Significant sales growth (+9%) was achieved by the Near Patient 
Testing business. The newest coagulation monitoring system - CoaguChek XS - commenced its European roll-out 
in January. This instrument allows more patients on long-term oral anticoagulation therapy to have access 
to the advantages of self-monitoring and gives them information about their coagulation status directly 
on the spot, virtually pain-free from one drop of blood. Sales of the Cardiac product line rebounded 
in growth, primarily driven by the roll-out of Cardiac proBNP in the EMEA region, Latin America and 
Asia Pacific.\line  \line {\b Applied Science \u8211? remain strong player in 
life science research} \line With sales advancing by 10%, Applied Science posted solid 
growth. This is based on the introduction of the Light Cycler 480 which provided a very competitive 
platform for high throughput real-time PCR applications in the research market. The introduction of 
the innovative and fast Genome Sequencer 20 marked the entry into the attractive sequencing research 
market. This system is the first product out of the strategic alliance with 454 Life Sciences and has 
been very well accepted in all global markets.\line \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 {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1 
\u160?Europe/Rest of World: Europe and other countries excluding US and Japan\par}\line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 All 
trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.\par}\line \line \line Annex (http://www.roche.com/mr1q06ane.pdf)\line \line \line {\b Additional 
information} \line - Half-year results 2006: July 20 (tentative)\line - Nine 
months sales 2006: October 17 (tentative)\line \line \line {\i {\b Disclaimer: 
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements} \line This document contains 
certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such 
as \u8216?believes\u8217?, \u8216?expects\u8217?, \u8216?anticipates\u8217?, \u8216?projects\u8217?, \u8216?intends\u8217?, \u8216?should\u8217?, \u8216?seeks\u8217?, \u8216?estimates\u8217?, \u8216?future\u8217? 
or similar expressions or by discussion of, among other things, strategy, goals, plans or intentions. 
Various factors may cause actual results to differ materially in the future from those reflected in 
forward-looking statements contained in this document, among others: (1) pricing and product initiatives 
of competitors; (2) legislative and regulatory developments and economic conditions; (3) delay or inability 
in obtaining regulatory approvals or bringing products to market; (4) fluctuations in currency exchange 
rates and general financial market conditions; (5) uncertainties in the discovery, development or marketing 
of new products or new uses of existing products, including without limitation negative results of clinical 
trials or research projects, unexpected side-effects of pipeline or marketed products; (6) increased 
government pricing pressures; (7) interruptions in production; (8) loss of or inability to obtain adequate 
protection for intellectual property rights; (9) litigation; (10) loss of key executives or other employees; 
and (11) adverse publicity and news coverage. The statement regarding earnings per share growth is not 
a profit forecast and should not be interpreted to mean that Roche\u8217?s earnings or earnings per share 
for 2006 or any subsequent period will necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings 
or earnings per share of Roche.} 
{\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}
}