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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
Basel, 25 June 2007\line \line {\b Roche and Toyama Chemical 
enter licensing agreement to develop potential breakthrough drug to treat rheumatoid arthritis} \line Novel 
agent T-5224 may block the progressive destruction of joint and bone \line \line Toyama 
Chemical Co., Ltd. and Roche announced today that they have entered into a licensing agreement for the 
worldwide research, development and commercialization of Toyama Chemical\u8217?s novel oral rheumatoid arthritis 
agent T-5224. By inhibiting a specific inflammatory process, T-5224 has the potential to block signs 
and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis as well as the progressive destruction of joint and bone. T-5224 
is currently in phase I. With this partnership, Roche is further strengthening its promising portfolio 
and R&D pipeline in the area of rheumatoid arthritis.\line \line "This 
novel 
oral compound complements Roche\u8217?s developing portfolio of drug candidates in inflammation and rheumatoid 
arthritis. The agent T-5224 has the potential to inhibit a key trigger of rheumatoid arthritis and has 
already shown promising pharmacological efficacy and safety in early clinical studies," said Jean-Jacques 
Garaud, Head of Roche Pharma Development. "Our new collaboration is good news for all patients 
with 
rheumatoid arthritis as well as for our two companies. We are looking forward to collaborating with 
our new colleagues in Japan to develop T-5224."\line \line "By entering 
into a research 
and development collaboration with Roche, one of the world\u8217?s leading research and development companies, 
we are able to increase Toyama\u8217?s potential for novel drug development in the anti-inflammatory field, 
which is a field of concentration for Toyama Chemical," said Masuji Sugata, President of Toyama 
Chemical.\line \line Under 
the terms of the agreement, Toyama Chemical has granted Roche exclusive rights to research, develop, 
and sell T-5224 worldwide excluding Japan where Toyama Chemical will retain exclusive rights. The agreement 
also encompasses the joint research and development of back-up candidates to T-5224. Toyama Chemical 
will receive upfront payments and milestone payments totalling up to 370 million US dollars, based on 
certain development and commercial milestones. If approved for marketing, Toyama Chemical will receive 
royalties based on the net sales of T-5224 by Roche. \line \line {\b About 
T-5224} \line T-5224 is an inhibitor of the transcription factor AP-1 (Activator Protein-1) 
which is known to play an important role in the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis. AP-1 turns on a variety 
of genes in response to inflammation triggers, including many that are responsible for the proteins 
that are the targets of current rheumatoid arthritis products. In addition, in joint cells called osteoclasts, 
AP-1 stimulates the production of enzymes that are thought specifically to cause the destruction of 
bones and joint tissue. Therefore, by inhibiting the AP-1 process, T-5224 affects several key pathways 
and may prevent the progression of this disabling disease in many patients.\line \line T-5224 
was first identified as a drug candidate in rheumatoid arthritis through collaboration between Toyama 
Chemical Research and Professors Shunichi Shiozawa of Kobe University and Shuichi Hirono of Kitasato 
University. Non-clinical studies were completed through this collaboration and Phase I studies have 
been carried out in Japan since June of last year. Toyama Chemical is receiving, through the Contract 
Development Program, support from the Japan Science and Technology Agency, an independent administrative 
institution, for its research and development in Japan.\line \line {\b About 
rheumatoid arthritis}  \line Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive, systemic autoimmune 
disease characterized by chronic inflammation of multiple joints and fatigue as well as the possibility 
of osteoporosis, anaemia, and lung, skin and liver effects. This inflammation causes pain, stiffness 
and swelling, resulting in loss of joint function due to destruction of the bone and cartilage, often 
leading to progressive disability. Further, as chronic inflammation continues, there may be shortening 
of life expectancy as a result of effects on major organ systems. After 10 years, less than 50% of patients 
can continue to work or function normally on a day to day basis. RA affects more than 21 million people 
worldwide.\line \line {\b About Roche in rheumatoid arthritis} \line One 
of the most important drivers for growth at Roche over the next few years is expected to be the company\u8217?s 
emerging franchise in autoimmune diseases with rheumatoid arthritis as the first indication. Following 
the launch of MabThera (rituximab) there are a number of projects in development, potentially allowing 
Roche to build on further opportunities. MabThera is the first and only selective B-cell therapy for 
RA, providing a fundamentally different treatment approach by targeting B cells, one of the key players 
in the pathogenesis of RA. Actemra is Roche\u8217?s second novel medicine and is a humanised monoclonal antibody 
to the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, inhibiting the activity of IL-6, a protein that plays a major 
role in the RA inflammation process. Actemra is the result of research collaboration by Chugai and is 
being co-developed globally with Chugai. Additional projects creating a rich pipeline include compounds 
in Phase I, II and III clinical trials. Notably, ocrelizumab, a fully humanised anti-CD20 antibody, 
is just entering phase III development for RA.\line \line {\b About Toyama 
Chemical} \line Toyama Chemical specializes in research and development, and strives to 
contribute to the further development of global health care through new drug development. Toyama concentrates 
its R&D in three fields: anti-infective agents, anti-inflammatory agents, and cerebral function 
improvers and cardiovascular drugs. Pharmaceuticals now in the pipeline include T-3811, a synthetic 
antibacterial agent; T-614, an oral anti-rheumatic agent; and T-817MA, a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. 
The company has formed strategic partnerships with domestic and overseas pharmaceutical manufacturers 
as well as establishing clinical research subsidiaries in the U.S. and U.K. Validation of Toyama\u8217?s success 
can be found in their technology exports and their royalty income which is the highest among mid-sized 
Japanese pharmaceutical companies. Toyama is taking an aggressive, outward-looking approach, globalizing 
its activities with the aim of becoming a key pharmaceutical manufacturer. Additional information about 
the Toyama Chemical is available on the Internet at www.toyama-chemical.co.jp/eng (http://www.toyama-chemical.co.jp/eng).\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 \line {\b Further 
information} \line - Roche & Autoimmune diseases{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 \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}
}