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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 18 January 2008\line \line {\b Roche 
invests 430 million Swiss francs at sites in Germany and Switzerland} \line Centres for 
the research, development, production and filling of innovative biopharmaceuticals to be expanded\line \line Roche 
has approved extensive investment plans for its Penzberg, Mannheim and Kaiseraugst sites. Around 280 
million Swiss francs will be invested in expanding biotech drug research and development activities 
at Penzberg. This decision will ensure that the company\u8217?s own value added chain is exploited to its 
full potential in the development and production of biopharmaceuticals mainly for oncology applications.\line \line A 
total of some 150 million francs will be invested at Mannheim and Kaiseraugst in expanding modern syringe 
filling capacities for drugs such as Mircera, Pegasys or Actemra.\line \line Commenting 
on the decision, Roche CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Franz B. Humer, said: "After 
conducting a thorough evaluation of our production sites in many regions of the world and taking on 
board local business conditions at each, we have decided to make investments at these three sites in 
Germany and Switzerland. With our biopharmaceuticals heavily in demand, this step will both safeguard 
and expand production. Investments like this are very much long term in nature and they create hundreds 
of jobs in and around the company. It is therefore essential that a stable, industry-friendly environment 
be maintained in the long term".\line \line The decision means that Roche\u8217?s 
investment in Pharma production equipment in the last five years has totalled around 1 billion Swiss 
francs (about 600 million euros) each in Germany and in Switzerland, resulting in the creation of \u160?several 
hundred new jobs.\line \line {\b The Roche Group - a pioneer in the biotechnology 
sector} \line Roche has invested in biotechnology from the outset, identifying important 
trends and technologies as they have emerged. Research has been pursued in the key areas of genetics, 
genomics and proteomics, and cutting-edge technologies \u8211? monoclonal antibodies, PCR and molecular genetic 
tests - have been developed to permit the broad application of biotechnology in medicine.\line \line The 
Roche Group is now a leading supplier of biotechnology-based products for physicians and patients. Medicines 
and tests taking the patient\u8217?s individual genetic characteristics into account are already available 
today.\line \line Today, five of the Group\u8217?s top ten pharmaceuticals are products 
of biotechnological research; they account for around 45 per cent of the Pharma Division\u8217?s total sales. 
Measured by sales and production capacities of biopharmaceuticals, the Roche Group is the world\u8217?s leading 
biotech company.\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'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, metabolic 
disorders and diseases of the 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 has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with numerous partners, including majority ownership 
interests in Genentech and Chugai, and invests approximately 7 billion Swiss francs a year in R&D. 
Worldwide, the Group employs about 75,000 people. For further information please visit www.roche.com (http://www.roche.com).\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}
}