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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 22 February 2007\line \line {\b New 
phase III study confirms positive outcome of Avastin in patients with advanced lung cancer} \line \line Roche 
announced today that a phase III study investigating Avastin (bevacizumab) in combination with chemotherapy 
met its primary endpoint of improving progression free survival in patients with previously untreated 
advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the most common form of the disease. This benefit was seen 
in patients who received either one of two different Avastin doses investigated in the trial.\line \line The 
results of the phase III "Avastin in Lung" ("AVAiL", BO17704) study showed that 
Avastin administered in a schedule of either 7.5 or 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks in combination with gemcitabine/cisplatin 
chemotherapy significantly prolonged the time patients with advanced NSCLC lived without their disease 
progressing ("progression-free survival") when compared to chemotherapy alone. Although the 
study was not designed to compare the Avastin doses, a similar treatment effect in progression-free 
survival was observed between the two arms. The benefit and relative safety of each arm will be presented 
at an upcoming medical meeting. There were no new safety signals associated with the use of Avastin 
at either dose in this clinical setting.\line \line "In addition to supporting 
Avastin\u8217?s efficacy in advanced lung cancer, these positive results demonstrate Avastin\u8217?s treatment benefits 
when used in combination with a different chemotherapy regimen than the one investigated in the pivotal 
E4599 trial," said William M. Burns, CEO Roche Pharmaceuticals. "We look forward to sharing 
the findings with health authorities in Europe and working with them to make Avastin available to patients 
with advanced lung cancer as soon as possible."\line \line The results from 
BO17704 complement the dossier for the filing of Avastin in NSCLC which was submitted to EU health authorities 
in August 2006. In the US, Avastin was approved for the treatment of NSCLC in October 2006.\line \line {\b About 
BO17704} \line BO17704 is an international Phase III trial which includes more than 1000 
patients with previously untreated advanced NSCLC, the most common form of lung cancer, with histology 
other than predominant squamous cell. The primary objective of the study was to demonstrate superiority 
in progression-free survival of both Avastin containing treatment arms versus the control regimen.\line \line {\b About 
E4599} \line In another phase III trial E4599{\super 1} , Avastin was 
investigated with a different platinum-based chemotherapy regimen (carboplatin/paclitaxel). The study 
showed that the median duration of survival in the Avastin plus paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy 
group was 12.3 months compared to 10.3 months in the group treated with chemotherapy alone. Overall 
patients treated with Avastin plus chemotherapy had a 27 percent improvement in survival compared to 
patients receiving chemotherapy alone.\line \line {\b About Lung Cancer} \line Lung 
cancer accounts for 1 in 3 and 1 in 4 cancer-related deaths in men and women, respectively. NSCLC is 
the most common form of the disease and accounts for more than 80 percent of all lung cancers, with 
histology other than predominant squamous cell as the most common subtype accounting for approximately 
60 percent of NSCLC cases. Sadly, the majority of NSCLC cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage when 
the cancer is inoperable or has already spread to another part of the body. In spite of the use of chemotherapy 
as the first-line treatment option, less than five percent of people with advanced NSCLC survive for 
five years after diagnosis and most die within twelve months{\super 2} .\line \line {\b About 
Avastin} \line Avastin is the first treatment that inhibits angiogenesis - 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 i.e. 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 diseases, 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 drugs for cancer and transplantation and a market leader in virology. In 2006 
sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totalled 33.3 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics Division 
posted sales of 8.7 billion Swiss francs. Roche employs roughly 75,000 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 at 
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 Additional 
information:} \line - About Genentech (http://www.gene.com)\line - Roche 
in Oncology ( http://www.roche.com/mboncology-e.pdf)\line - Roche Health Kiosk on cancer (http://www.health-kiosk.ch/start_krebs)\line To 
access video clips, in broadcast standard, free of charge, please go to: www.thenewsmarket.com (http://www.thenewsmarket.com/).\line \line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 1) 
Sandler A et al. Paclitaxel-Carboplatin Alone or with Bevacizumab for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. New 
England Journal of Medicine 2006; 355:2542-50\line 2) Wilking N and Jonsson B. A Pan-European 
comparison regarding patient access to cancer drugs. Karolinska Institute in collaboration with Stockholm 
School of Economics, Stockholm, Sweden, 2005.\par}\line \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}
}