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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 25 July 2007\line \line {\b Actemra 
monotherapy demonstrates significant clinical benefit in patients with rheumatoid arthritis } \line - 
Fourth phase III study with novel interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor meets primary endpoint \line - 
Global regulatory filing on track for late 2007 \line \line Roche announced today 
that AMBITION{\super 1} , the study aiming to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of 
Actemra (tocilizumab) monotherapy, successfully met its primary endpoint{\super 2}  
in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is the fourth study in Actemra\u8217?s 
extensive multinational phase III development programme. The study examined the use of Actemra monotherapy 
against a standard, effective regimen of methotrexate in patients with active RA, including a high proportion 
of patients with early disease. The data show that a greater proportion of patients treated with Actemra 
(8mg/kg), achieved a significant improvement in disease signs and symptoms (ACR scores{\super 3} ) 
following 24 weeks of treatment, compared to patients treated with methotrexate alone.\line \line "This 
is the first multinational phase III trial using Actemra monotherapy. The trial demonstrates Actemra\u8217?s 
safety and efficacy, reinforcing the role of IL-6 receptor inhibition in RA" said William M. Burns, 
CEO Pharmaceuticals Division of Roche. "These exciting data support Actemra\u8217?s potential as a new 
future therapy for RA patients."\line \line The study, together with data from 
the previous three international studies, will form the basis of the regulatory filing for marketing 
approval later this year.\line \line {\b About the AMBITION study} \line The 
AMBITION trial is a two-arm, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate 
the safety and efficacy of Actemra (8 mg/kg) compared to methotrexate in RA patients. Patients received 
either Actemra intravenously (8 mg/kg) every four weeks plus placebo capsules weekly or placebo infusions 
every four weeks plus methotrexate weekly. The study included 673 patients at 252 trial sites in 18 
countries, including the United States. \line \line {\b Previous and ongoing 
studies} \line The AMBITION trial is one of five phase III clinical studies designed to 
evaluate Actemra as a potential new treatment for RA. Three of the phase III trials \u8211? OPTION{\super 4} , 
TOWARD{\super 5}  and RADIATE{\super 6}  \u8211? are completed and have 
reported meeting their primary study endpoints. At the European Congress of Rheumatology meeting in 
June, data results from the OPTION trial demonstrated that treatment with Actemra plus methotrexate 
resulted in a significant improvement in RA symptoms in patients who had an inadequate response to methotrexate. 
An additional phase III trial evaluating Actemra in RA is ongoing; the two-year study, called LITHE, 
is expected to report later in 2008. Data from the AMBITION study will be submitted for presentation 
at future international scientific meetings.\line \line {\b About Actemra} \line Actemra 
is the first humanised interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor inhibiting monoclonal antibody and represents a 
novel mechanism of action to treat RA, a disease with a high unmet medical need. The overall safety 
profile observed in the global studies of Actemra is consistent and Actemra is generally well tolerated. 
The most frequent adverse events reported have included upper respiratory tract infections, headache, 
nasopharyngitis and hypertension. As with other biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), 
serious infections have been reported in some patients treated with Actemra. \line Roche and 
Chugai are collaborating on a phase III clinical development programme in RA running outside Japan, 
with more than 4000 patients enrolled in 41 countries including several European countries and the USA. 
In Japan, Actemra was launched in June 2005 as a therapy for Castleman's disease and in April 2006 filed 
for the additional indications of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis.\line \line {\b About 
rheumatoid arthritis } \line Rheumatoid arthritis 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\u174? (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 humanised anti-CD20 antibody, has entered 
phase III development for RA.\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 approximately 
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 \line \line \line {\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 References:\line 1) 
AMBITION refers to Actemra versus Methotrexate double-Blind Investigative Trial In mONotherapy trial\line 2) 
The proportion of patients who achieved ACR20 at week 24\line 3) The ACR response is a standard 
assessment used to measure patients\u8217? responses to anti-rheumatic therapies, devised by the American 
College of Rheumatology (ACR). It requires a patient to have a defined percentage reduction in a number 
of symptoms and measures of their disease. For example, a 20%, 50% or 70% level of reduction (the percentage 
of reduction of RA symptoms) is represented as ACR20, ACR50 or ACR70. An ACR70 response is exceptional 
for existing treatments and represents a significant improvement in a patient\u8217?s condition.\line 4) 
OPTION refers to the TOcilizumab Pivotal Trial in Methotrexate Inadequate respONders\line 5) 
TOWARD refers to Tocilizumab in cOmbination With traditional DMARD therapy\line 6) RADIATE 
refers to Research on Actemra Determining effIcacy after Anti-Tnf FailurEs\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}
}