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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 12 December 2006\line \line {\b Avastin 
shows positive outcomes in patients with advanced kidney cancer} \line Exciting new results 
add to Avastin\u8217?s track record of success in patients with colorectal, lung and breast cancer\line \line An 
interim analysis of a phase III study in advanced renal cell cancer has shown that Avastin significantly 
prolongs the time patients live without their disease progressing. In addition, this early analysis 
indicated a trend towards an improvement in overall survival. Renal cell cancer is the most common form 
of kidney cancer accounting for nine out of ten cases and treatment options are limited. Due to the 
benefits observed, the independent Drug Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) has recommended that the study 
be unblinded and all patients will be offered treatment with Avastin. Safety was in line with what has 
been observed for Avastin in previous studies.\line \line "The results have 
shown that Avastin works effectively as a first-line treatment for renal cell cancer. This is the fourth 
cancer type in which Avastin\u8217?s unique mode of action translates into a progression-free survival benefit 
for patients," said Eduard Holdener, Head of Roche Pharmaceuticals Development. "Current treatment 
options in advanced kidney cancer are limited and we are planning to work with health authorities in 
Europe to make Avastin available to patients with renal cell carcinoma as soon as possible." \line \line In 
the AVOREN study patients received treatment with either Avastin and interferon alpha-2a or interferon 
alone, a standard of care in advanced kidney cancer. This is the first time that Avastin has demonstrated 
benefits for patients also in combination with an immunotherapeutic. \line \line Further 
analyses of the AVOREN study are underway and results will be presented at an upcoming oncology conference.\line \line \line {\b About 
AVOREN} \line AVOREN is an international phase III trial which included 649 patients with 
advanced renal cell cancer. Patients were divided into two arms to receive either standard therapy of 
interferon alpha-2a or interferon alpha-2a plus Avastin. Avastin was administered every two weeks at 
a dose of 10mg/kg. The primary endpoint of the study was to demonstrate overall survival when Avastin 
was added to interferon alpha-2a therapy. The study protocol specified an interim overall survival analysis 
be performed at approximately 50 percent of events. Secondary endpoints included progression free survival 
(PFS), time to progression, time to treatment failure, overall response rate and safety profile. \line \line In 
line with previous feedback from health authorities, Roche is planning to file Avastin in Renal Cell 
Carcinoma based on results from the AVOREN study. In the US, in prior consultation with the FDA, the 
primary analysis endpoint was revised to assess improvement in PFS, defined as the length of time the 
tumour did not grow or patient death did not occur.\line \line {\b About 
Kidney Cancer} \line On an annual basis in excess of 200,000 people will receive a diagnosis 
and more than 100,000 people will loose their lives to kidney cancer. This figure is expected to increase. 
Kidney cancer is more common in men than women (approximately 62% of renal cell carcinoma occurs in 
males) and incidence increases with age{\super 1} . \u160?\line \line Renal 
cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer, accounting for nine out of ten cases. 
If RCC is diagnosed at an early stage when the cancer is still confined to the kidney, the 5 year survival 
rates are relatively good at 60 \u8211? 75%. However, if diagnosis is made at a later stage and the cancer 
has already spread to distant sites the 5 year survival rate is less than 5%{\super 2} . 
Unfortunately, because kidney cancer is often asymptomatic, the majority of patients are diagnosed at 
later disease stages.\line \line Treatment options for patients with kidney cancer 
are limited. Surgical removal of part or the entire kidney forms the mainstay of treatment but is only 
really successful in early stage disease. In later stage disease, treatment is more often employed with 
a view of controlling the cancer and improving associated symptoms. These treatments are of limited 
success and include interferon alpha and interleukin or less commonly chemotherapy or radiotherapy.\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 40,000 
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 All 
trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.\par}\line \line \line {\b Additional 
information} \line - Roche 
in Oncology (http://www.roche.com/mboncology-e.pdf)\line - Roche Health Kiosk, Cancer (http://www.health-kiosk.ch/start_krebs)\line - Avastin (http://www.avastin-info.com)\line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 References\line 1 
Parkin DM, Bray F, Ferlay J and Pisani P. Global cancer statistics 
2002. CA Cancer J Clin 2005; 55; 74 \u8211? 108.\line 2 Medline Plus www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000516.htm 
(accessed on 23rd October 2006) \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}
}