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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
Basel, 25 June 2007\line \line {\b Once 
monthly Mircera could save about 50% of the time 
health professionals spend on anaemia management in dialysis centres each year} \line New 
study reveals potential for improved use of resources whilst maintaining high quality anaemia management 
\line \line \line A new study has found that converting dialysis patients 
from more frequently administered erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) to once-monthly Mircera could 
cut nearly in half the annual time spent on anaemia management in a dialysis centre. \line \line A 
'Time and Motion' study in dialysis centres in Germany and the UK that modelled use of once-monthly 
administration of Mircera for the management of anaemia, showed that, for a centre of 100 patients, 
an average of 37 - 43 working days a year of healthcare professionals\u8217? time could be saved if they treated 
their patients with Mircera. In Germany, the study showed that the time devoted to ESA-related tasks 
would reduce from 79 to 36 working days per year (a 54% reduction) and in the UK, from 95 days to 58 
(a reduction of nearly 40%). \line \line The results of the study were presented 
today at the 44th European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ERA-EDTA) 
Congress in Barcelona{\super 1} . The study was undertaken to quantify health professionals\u8217? 
time and associated costs related to the management of anaemia following current routine practices. 
It also modelled the potential for improved efficiency and cost-savings with the use of a novel treatment 
effective at maintaining haemoglobin levels when administered just once monthly. Mircera, a continuous 
erythropoietin receptor activator, is not marketed yet, but has recently received a positive opinion 
from the European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommending a marketing authorisation 
be granted in the EU.\line \line "What is exciting about this study is that 
it shows the potential \u8211? and substantial \u8211? savings that could be achieved in a single centre seeing 
on average 100 dialysis patients per year,\u8221? said Dr. Ulrich Saueressig, Internist at Gemeinschaftspraxis, 
Wuppertal, Germany; and lead author who presented the data. \u8220?In effect, by reducing time consuming administrative 
and routine tasks, we are giving healthcare professionals considerably more time to use their skills 
and knowledge to benefit patients directly."\line \line {\b About 
the study} \line This study was conducted in 12 dialysis centres in Germany and the UK 
(similar data was also collected in the United States and presented earlier this year). Activities associated 
with anaemia management were identified through interviews with dialysis centre staff: the activities 
were then grouped into observed tasks (preparation, distribution, administration of ESAs) and non-observed 
tasks (which are related to anaemia management but intertwined with other activities such physician 
visits, laboratory assessment, review of blood results). The observed tasks were timed by trained research 
nurses using a stop watch while time estimates for non-observed tasks were obtained through interviews. 
A total of 461 time and motion observations were collected.\line Activity-based costing methods 
were used to translate healthcare personnel time associated with anaemia management and supplies, into 
monetary units. Personnel time was assigned a cost on the basis of time spent on specific tasks multiplied 
by the national average salaries for the healthcare member performing each task (e.g., nurse, technician, 
physician). Costs relating to ESA drug acquisition were not included in the analysis.\line Data 
from the time and cost assessments for ESA treatment were used to estimate the total time and cost offsets 
that might be achieved with 100 per cent use of once-monthly Mircera at an average centre in each country 
treating 100 patients.\line \line {\b Key results\line } Time 
and budget related to anaemia management with current ESAs:{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - The 
average total number of working days per year (one working day equals 8 hours) devoted to ESA-related 
activities was 79 in German centres and 95 in UK centres based on a 100 patients per centre.\par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - The 
average annual total costs associated with current ESA administration per centre was \u8364?17,031 in Germany 
and \u163?18,739 in the UK.\par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - The weighted average number of ESA administrations 
per patient per month was 8 among the participating centres in Germany and 7 in the UK.\par}\line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Savings 
if once-monthly MIRCERA had been used in 100% of patients: \par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - The 
estimated average total number of days per year devoted to ESA-related activities would decrease by 
43 days in German dialysis centres and by 37 days in a UK dialysis centre if 100 per cent of patients 
were switched to MIRCERA, the modelling showed.\par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - As a consequence, 
the average estimated cost savings because of the reduction in task frequency would be \u8364? 9,798 in German 
centres and \u163?6,615 in the UK, based on 100 patients.\par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - Based on interview 
responses, activities associated with ESA treatment which would be expected to decrease in frequency 
following conversion to once-monthly MIRCERA included ESA preparation, injection and record-keeping 
(both countries) and physician visits (Germany only). \par}\line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b About 
Mircera} \line Mircera, is a continuous erythropoietin receptor activator that shows a 
different activity at the receptor level characterized by a slower association to and faster dissociation 
from the receptor, a reduced specific activity in vitro with an increased activity in vivo, as well 
as an increased half-life, in contrast to erythropoietin. Mircera is the only drug to have compared 
itself in its registration program to three ESAs: epoetin alfa, beta and darbepoetin alfa. In May, Mircera 
received an approvable letter from the US FDA and a positive opinion from the European Committee for 
Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommending a marketing authorisation be granted in the EU.\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 the world\u8217?s 
biggest biotech company and an innovator of 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 the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics and drugs for cancer and 
transplantation, a market leader in virology and active in other major therapeutic areas such as autoimmune 
diseases, inflammation, metabolism and central nervous system. 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 worldwide 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 {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 References\line 1) 
Ulrich Saueressig, et al. Staff time and costs for anaemia management with erythropoietic stimulating 
agents in patients on haemodialysis. Abstract SaP341 44th ERA-EDTA Barcelona 2007\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}
}