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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
Basel, 17 July 2006\line \line {\b Actelion and Roche enter 
into autoimmune disorder collaboration } \line Co-development and co-promotion agreement 
for Actelion\u8217?s phase I S1P1 receptor agonist\line \line Roche and Actelion announced 
today that they have entered into an exclusive worldwide collaboration to jointly develop and commercialize 
Actelion\u8217?s selective S1P1 receptor agonist, an immunomodulator with the potential for once-a-day oral 
dosing. The compound is currently being developed in phase I. The two companies plan to jointly develop 
and commercialize this novel compound for multiple autoimmune disorders. \line \line \u8220?We 
are very pleased to partner with Actelion in this area where there are still a number of high unmet 
medical needs and only few treatment options are available,\u8221? said Roche Chairman and CEO Franz B. Humer. 
\u8220?This collaboration is a further step to strengthen our emerging autoimmune disease franchise.\u8221?\line \line Jean-Paul 
Clozel, MD and Chief Executive Officer of Actelion commented: \u8220?I am very proud about our collaboration 
with Roche, an excellent partner to develop and promote multiple indications in parallel. Together, 
we are well prepared to turn Actelion\u8217?s scientific breakthrough in selective S1P1 receptor agonists 
into a treatment that has the potential to dramatically improve medical care for patients with autoimmune 
disorders.\u8221?\line \line {\b About financial terms of the collaboration} \line The 
S1P1 collaboration covers both the current selective S1P1 receptor agonist in phase I as well as any 
other selective S1P1 receptor agonists resulting from Actelion\u8217?s research efforts in the field. Roche 
will pay Actelion an upfront payment of USD 75 million in the second half of 2006. In the case of future 
development and approval milestones being achieved, Actelion will be eligible to receive payments of 
up to USD 555 million for the first compound for all targeted indications. Further development and approval 
milestone payments are due for further compounds. On all product sales, Roche will pay Actelion undisclosed 
royalties. \line \line For the current selective S1P1 receptor agonist, Actelion 
will fully fund all development activities up to the end of phase II for the first two indications. 
All subsequent development and commercialization costs will be shared equally between Roche and Actelion. 
Both companies will co-promote any product resulting from this collaboration and equally share profit.\line \line {\b The 
science behind selective S1P1 receptor agonists} \line Sphingosine-1-phospate (S1P) is 
a phospholipid released by platelets, mast and other cells. It is currently established that S1P stimulates 
at least five different G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs): S1P1,2,3,4, and 5. Activation of these 
GPCRs mediates a complex variety of biological responses, such as lymphocyte migration, endothelial 
cell proliferation, blood vessel constriction, heart rate modulation and others.\line \line Actelion\u8217?s 
efforts in the field of selective S1P1 receptor agonists started in 1999 by focusing on receptors found 
on the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels. The result of these research efforts is Actelion\u8217?s 
orally active selective S1P1 receptor agonist currently undergoing phase I safety and tolerability testing.\line \line Additional 
discovery and early pre-clinical development efforts in the field of selective S1P1 receptor agonists 
are underway at Actelion\u8217?s research facilities in Allschwil, Switzerland.\line \line {\b About 
autoimmune disorders} \line Autoimmune disorders are diseases caused by the body producing 
an immune response against its own tissues. The cause of autoimmune disorders is unknown. Some of the 
most common types of autoimmune disorders include psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, 
inflammatory bowel disease and rejection of transplanted organs. These disorders affect millions of 
people worldwide.\line \line {\b About Roche as a Partner} \line Roche 
is a valued partner to more than 50 companies worldwide. Over the past two years, Roche has led the 
pharmaceutical industry in the number of clinical compound deals signed. In 2005, Roche entered into 
nine partnerships to jointly develop products for optimal patient benefit and value. Partnerships continue 
to strengthen Roche\u8217?s positions in oncology, virology, transplantation, and primary care. Roche\u8217?s partnering 
culture encourages innovation through a unique pairing of collaboration and autonomy.\line \line {\b About 
Actelion} \line Actelion Ltd is a biopharmaceutical company with its corporate headquarters 
in Allschwil/Basel, Switzerland. Actelion's first drug Tracleer, an orally available dual endothelin 
receptor antagonist, has been approved as a therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Actelion markets 
Tracleer through its own subsidiaries in key markets worldwide, including the United States (based in 
South San Francisco), the European Union, Japan, Canada, Australia and Switzerland. Actelion, founded 
in late 1997, is a leading player in innovative science related to the endothelium \u8211? the single layer 
of cells separating every blood vessel from the blood stream. Actelion focuses on the discovery, development 
and marketing of innovative drugs for significant unmet medical needs. Actelion shares are traded on 
the SWX Swiss Exchange. Additional information about Actelion is available on the Internet (www.actelion.com (http://www.actelion.com)).\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 protected by law.\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}
}