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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 10 January 2007\line \line {\b NeoRecormon 
gains European approval for convenient once weekly treatment of anaemia in patients with solid cancers} \line \line Roche 
announced today that it has received European marketing approval for a simple and convenient once weekly 
subcutaneous injection of NeoRecormon (epoetin beta) 30,000 IU for the treatment of anaemia in patients 
with solid cancers receiving chemotherapy. This expansion of the product label means that patients will 
no longer have the burden of three injections per week and their anaemia can be managed in a more convenient 
way. \line \line Anaemia affects up to 95% of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1\par}}  
It can develop as a result of the cancer itself or as a consequence of its treatment. For most patients 
anaemia manifests itself as an extreme and overwhelming fatigue that makes the impact of cancer even 
more devastating. \line \line NeoRecormon 30,000 IU once weekly is proven to effectively{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 2\par}}  
and rapidly{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 3,4 \par}} correct anaemia irrespective 
of the type of chemotherapy patients receive. It also reduces the need for blood transfusions by at 
least 50% compared to standard care{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 5,6 \par}} and 
has been shown to significantly increase the time until patients 
need a first transfusion.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 7\par}}  Patients 
treated with NeoRecormon often experience an improvement in 
their quality of life{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 8\par}}  and an increase 
in their daily energy levels.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 6,9\par}} \line \line Key 
supportive data for the new label came from the BRAVE (BReast cancer - Anaemia and the Value of Erythropoietin) 
study, which was conducted in women with metastatic breast cancer receiving chemotherapy{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 5,7,10 
\par}} and 
the NAUTICA study conducted in patients with a wide range of cancer types also receiving chemotherapy.{\super {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 3\par}} \line \line {\b About 
NeoRecormon} \line NeoRecormon is prescribed for the treatment of symptomatic anaemia 
in patients 
with cancer. Treating anaemia increases red blood cell (haemoglobin) numbers and oxygen levels allowing 
the body to function effectively, which improves patients\u8217? quality of life and reduces morbidity. \line \line NeoRecormon 
is one of Roche\u8217?s leading biotechnology achievements and market leader in the countries in which it 
is sold. \line \line With the label expansion announced today NeoRecormon 30,000 
IU once weekly is now indicated for the treatment of symptomatic anaemia in adult patients with solid 
and lymphoid cancers receiving any form of chemotherapy. Treatment with NeoRecormon is initiated when 
patients\u8217? haemoglobin level is 11 g/dl or below and given to maintain a haemoglobin level of up to 13g/dl. 
\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 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}\line \line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 References\line 1 
\u160?Groopman & Itri. Natl Cancer Inst 1999;91:1616\u8211?34.\line 2 \u160?Leonard et al. Ann 
Oncol 2004; 15 (Suppl 3):iii 50 Abstract 188P.\line 3 \u160?Spa\u235?th et al 2006; 17 (Suppl 9): 
ix294 Abstract 1020P.\line 4 \u160?Boogaerts et al. Anticancer Res. 2006; 26:479-484.\line 5 
\u160?Marangolo et al. Eur J Cancer Suppl 2005; 3: 388 Abstract 1347. \line 6 \u160?Ord\u243?nez 
et al. Lung Cancer 2005; 49(Suppl 2): S339 Abstract P-836.\line 7 \u160?Aapro et al. 29th 
Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2006; Poster 6095.\line 8 \u160?Boogaerts et al. 
Br J Cancer 2003; 88: 988-995.\line 9 \u160?de Castro et al. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2006; 
Jul 28 (Epub ahead of print).\line 10 \u160?Marangolo et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology 
2005;23: 16S, Part I of II: 8141.\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}
}