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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 27 June 2006\line {\b \line US 
Phase III study of Avastin in advanced pancreatic cancer does not meet primary endpoint} \line \line Roche 
and Genentech remain committed to broad Avastin development programme\line \line Roche 
announced that a US Phase III trial of Avastin (bevacizumab) in combination 
with gemcitabine chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer did not meet its 
primary endpoint of overall survival. The decision to stop the trial was taken following a recommendation 
of an independent data monitoring board based on an interim analysis indicating that it is very unlikely 
that significant differences in overall survival will be shown between treatment arms as the data mature. 
The study was not stopped due to safety events and no new safety concerns related to Avastin were observed 
in this trial. The existing filings and approvals in colorectal, lung and breast cancer are not affected.\line \line Pancreatic 
cancer is recognized as one of the most aggressive and most difficult-to-treat forms of cancer. \line \line \u8220?Pancreatic 
cancer has a very high mortality and a short life expectancy and treatments that may improve survival 
are desperately needed. We will be further evaluating the data to understand potential reasons why this 
combination therapy did not lead to a clinical benefit in this trial\u8221?, said Eduard Holdener, Head of 
Global Development at Roche. \u8220?In addition, we will continue with the large Avastin development programme 
and investigate the medicine in a broad range of cancers including another study in pancreatic cancer 
where Avastin is added to a standard regimen and Tarceva. It is important to note that Avastin is the 
first and only anti-angiogenic therapy with demonstrated significant survival benefits in the three 
most common cancer types: colorectal, lung and breast cancer.\u8221? \line \line The US 
phase III trial was sponsored by the NCI (National Cancer Institute) and NCI collaborators and investigators 
working on other Avastin pancreatic cancer trials will be notified of this development.\line \line Roche 
and Genentech are pursuing a comprehensive clinical programme investigating the use of Avastin in 25 
cancer types (including colorectal, breast, lung, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, renal cell carcinoma, 
prostate cancer and others) across different settings. The trial programme also involves less prevalent 
and other difficult-to-treat cancers. The total development project is expected to include over 40,000 
patients worldwide. \line \line In Europe, Avastin was approved in early 2005 and 
in the US in 2004 for first-line treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Avastin was 
filed in April this year in the US for the most common form of lung cancer. The first filing for Avastin 
in Japan has been submitted in April 2006 for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. Most recently 
on May 26, 2006 Avastin was filed in the US for the treatment of women with advanced breast cancer.\line \line {\b About 
CALGB 80303 } \line This randomized, controlled, multi-center trial of 602 advanced pancreatic 
cancer patients was sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and conducted by a network of 
researchers led by the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB). Patients enrolled were randomized to receive 
treatment with gemcitabine with or without Avastin as a first-line therapy. Patients who had received 
prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease, adjuvant chemotherapy within the previous four weeks or any 
prior treatment with gemcitabine or Avastin in the adjuvant or metastatic setting were excluded from 
enrolling in the study. Patients with a prior history of bleeding events and those who experienced a 
surgical procedure, open biopsy, or significant traumatic injury during the prior 28 days were also 
excluded from the study. The statistical plan included pre-specified futility analyses that were conducted 
and reviewed by an independent Data Monitoring Board. \line \line {\b About 
AVITA} \line AVITA (BO17706) is a Roche-sponsored randomised, double blind, placebo controlled 
study of Gemcitabine and Tarceva+/- Avastin in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The first 
patient was enrolled on 18 July 2005 and recruitment is expected to end before the end of 2006. \line Based 
on an unblinded efficacy and safety analysis conducted in April 2006, the independent Data Safety Monitoring 
Board (DSMB) recommended that the study continues as planned.\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 {\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 All 
trademarks used or mentioned in this release are legally protected.\line \par}\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}
}