{\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}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 14 September 2006\line \line {\b Roche 
development plans: a clear commitment to the Basel site} \line \line New office 
high-rise and new research and development building are next site development moves\line \line Today 
at a media conference Roche unveiled its plans for the further development of its headquarters in Basel. 
To bring those employees back to the Wettstein headquarters who are currently spread out among the various 
other Basel sites, Roche is planning a new office high-rise building (Building 1) that will accommodate 
some 2,400 workplaces. In addition, an older laboratory building no longer in use will be replaced by 
a new research and development building (Building 97). The two projects, designed by the Basel architectural 
office of Herzog & de Meuron, will cost a total of 800 million Swiss francs.\line \line Matthias 
M. Baltisberger, Head of Roche Basel: \u8216?Roche has created some 1,000 new jobs in Basel in recent years. 
This positive growth, the age of several buildings, and the additional need for and demands placed on 
laboratories, manufacturing facilities and offices compel us to make more compact use of our site and 
to build higher. That is the only way to create the space we need for the large number of workplaces.\u8217?\line \line The 
ongoing development of Roche Basel remains based on a plan that guarantees maximum flexibility and thus 
the ability of Roche to meet its steadily changing needs. According to this plan, corporate and global 
functions will be primarily situated south of Grenzacherstrasse and research and manufacturing units, 
mainly to the north. Maintaining its tradition of high quality and internationally renowned industrial 
architecture remains a top priority at Roche with respect to all new buildings.\line \line {\b The 
southern perimeter of Roche Basel / Building 1} \line Building 1, which will accommodate 
2,400 new workplaces on a gross floor area measuring 75,000 square meters, will be constructed on the 
southern perimeter of the site (between the Rhine and Grenzacherstrasse). This new building will make 
it possible for the roughly 2,000 Roche employees at various off-site workplaces to return to headquarters. 
Building 1 will cost roughly 550 million Swiss francs and could be completed by 2011. The architects 
worked closely with city planning officials to create a visual design that integrates the new high-rise 
aesthetically within the urban landscape.\line \line {\b The northern 
perimeter of Roche Basel / Building 97} \line Building 97, a new research and development 
facility that will replace an older facility on Wettsteinallee, is planned on the northern perimeter 
of the Basel site (between Grenzacherstrasse and Wettsteinallee). Construction work is expected to be 
completed in 2010 at a cost of roughly 250 million Swiss francs.\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. Roche employs some 70,000 people in 150 countries. In addition to its active 
involvement in humanitarian projects, Roche has a long history of supporting the arts, particularly 
modern classical music and modern visual arts. Mario Botta\u8217?s Museum Tinguely in Basel, the intercontinental 
contemporary music project {\i Roche Commissions} , and {\i Roche\u8217?n\u8217?Jazz}  
are three examples of Roche\u8217?s cultural engagement. 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}\line \line \line {\b Further 
information} \line - Media briefing on site development at Roche Basel 
(from 9 am)\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}
}