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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 23 July 2007\line \line {\b Smaller 
size capsules of flu drug Tamiflu receive positive opinion in Europe } \line 30mg and 
45mg capsules are convenient alternative to suspension for management of seasonal and pandemic influenza 
in children\line \line Roche announced today that it has received a positive opinion 
in Europe from the Committee of Human Medicinal Products (CHMP) recommending marketing authorization 
for Tamiflu (oseltamivir) capsules of 30 mg and 45 mg doses. Until now, Tamiflu was only available in 
capsules containing a 75 mg dose of oseltamivir and as a powder for oral suspension. The lower dose 
capsules provide a convenient alternative for the treatment and prevention of influenza types A and 
B in patients one year and older. Since the capsules have a longer shelf life than the suspension formulation 
currently used for children (five years vs. two years), they also offer an improved option for government 
pandemic stockpiling. \line An approval for lower dose capsules was recently granted by the 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).\line The application for lower dose capsules was 
filed in February 2007 based on data already available for the 75 mg capsule. The method of manufacturing 
will remain the same and the only change will be the size of the capsule and the amount of the active 
ingredient, oseltamivir, filled into the capsule. The small capsules have longer stability and require 
considerably less storage space than the currently available paediatric dry suspension. This is critical 
given the volumes of drug that must be stored and will also facilitate easier distribution in the event 
of a pandemic.\line \line {\b About Tamiflu} \line Tamiflu, 
an oral neuraminidase inhibitor, is designed to be active against all clinically relevant influenza 
viruses. It works by blocking the action of the neuraminidase enzyme on the surface of the virus. When 
neuraminidase is inhibited, the virus is not able to spread to and infect other cells in the body. Tamiflu 
is the only member of the neuraminidase class of drugs approved for use in treatment and prevention 
of influenza in children 1 to 5 years of age. \line \line {\b Flu's Impact 
on Children } \line Influenza is particularly dangerous for the most vulnerable and this 
includes young children and infants .Children younger than two years old are as likely as those over 
age 65 to be hospitalized because of influenza. It is estimated that children are three times more likely 
to get sick with the flu \u8211? on average, one in 10 adults is affected by influenza annually, compared 
with one in three children. There is a high need for influenza treatments for children as they are more 
severely affected by seasonal influenza compared to adults.\line \line {\b About 
Tamiflu (oseltamivir)} \line Tamiflu delivers:\par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - 38 
percent reduction in the severity of symptoms\par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - 67 percent reduction 
in secondary complications such as bronchitis, pneumonia and sinusitis in otherwise healthy individuals 
\par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - 37 percent reduction in the duration of influenza illness\par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - Tamiflu 
was shown to provide up to 89 percent overall protective efficacy against clinical influenza in adults 
and adolescents who had been in close contact with influenza-infected patients\par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - In 
children, Tamiflu delivers:\par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - 36 percent reduction in the severity 
and duration of influenza symptoms\par}{\pard\f0\li440\ri0\sl360\fs22 - 44 percent reduced incidence 
of associated otitis media as compared to standard care\par}\line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 {\b Roche\u8217?s 
efforts to support government pandemic stockpiling} \line The World Health Organization 
(WHO) advises that stockpiling antivirals in advance is presently the only way to ensure that sufficient 
supplies are available in the event of a pandemic. Roche has been working closely with WHO and national 
governments to ensure governments are aware of the importance of stockpiling antivirals in the event 
of a pandemic situation. Roche has received and fulfilled pandemic orders for Tamiflu totalling 215million 
treatments from more than 80 countries worldwide. The magnitude of these orders varies with some countries, 
France, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and UK 
stockpiling or intending to stockpile adequate Tamiflu to cover 20-40% of their population. Few governments 
to date have stockpiled paediatric antiviral formulations. Roche has also donated 5.125 million courses 
of Tamiflu treatment to the WHO for international rapid response and regional response to a pandemic 
influenza strain.\line \line {\b Roche and Gilead} \line Tamiflu 
was invented by Gilead Sciences and licensed to Roche in 1996. Roche and Gilead partnered on clinical 
development, with Roche leading efforts to produce, register and bring the product to the markets. Under 
the terms of the companies\u8217? agreement, amended in November 2005, Gilead participates with Roche in the 
consideration of sub-licenses for the pandemic supply of oseltamivir. To ensure broader access to Tamiflu 
for all patients in need, Gilead has agreed to waive its right to full royalty payments for product 
sold under these sub-licenses.\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 legally protected.\par}\line \line {\b Further 
information\line } - Roche Health Kiosk on Influenza (http://www.health-kiosk.ch/start_grip.htm)\line - 
More information about Tamiflu ( http://www.roche.com/med_mbtamiflu05e.pdf)\line - More about the flu ( http://www.roche.com/med_mbinfluenza05e.pdf)\line - 
Information from WHO on influenza (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/en/)\line - Information from 
WHO on avian flu (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/avian_influenza/en/)\par}\line {\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}
}