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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 15 April 2008\line \line {\b Roche 
fully acquires privately-owned biotech company Piramed} \line - Roche gains access to 
important oncology target with potential for treating major cancers such as breast and lung; first drug 
candidate in phase I clinical testing\line - Second research programme centred on potential 
target in inflammatory indications such as rheumatoid arthritis\line \line Roche 
announced today that it will acquire Piramed Limited, a privately-owned UK company focusing on therapeutics 
targeting PI3-kinase (PI3-K). The PI3-K pathway is known to play an important role in disease progression 
and in resistance to chemotherapeutics in cancer cells. Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the activity 
of PI3-K inhibitors in a broad range of tumours such as breast and lung cancer, as well as their potential 
importance in treating inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.\line \line Through 
this acquisition, Roche\u8217?s R&D pipeline is strengthened by Piramed\u8217?s two major research programmes 
targeting PI3-K-alpha in oncology and PI3K-delta in inflammatory disease. The PI3-K-alpha programme 
has a compound in phase I of clinical development and is currently being developed in collaboration 
with Genentech, in whom Roche has a majority ownership interest. The previously unpartnered PI3-K-delta 
programme, while at a pre-clinical stage, will be integrated into the Roche Group\u8217?s rich inflammatory 
R&D portfolio.\line \line \u8220?The integration of Piramed\u8217?s promising research and 
development reaffirms and further strengthens Roche\u8217?s leadership in oncology\u8221?, said William M. Burns, 
CEO, Roche Pharmaceuticals Division. \u8220?While innovative medicines have undoubtedly transformed cancer 
treatment, cancer remains a major cause of death and we are committed to investing in the development 
of new treatment options. In addition, this acquisition augments our research efforts in debilitating 
diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis\u8221?. \line Michael Moore, Chief Executive of Piramed, said: 
\u8220?Since Piramed was formed in 2003, we have struck a significant licensing deal with Genentech and advanced 
our highly promising first oncology product into the clinic. Today\u8217?s acquisition by Roche underlines 
the value of our pipeline and is a testament to the quality of the science developed by our team. With 
Roche\u8217?s undisputed excellence in oncology and inflammatory disease, Piramed has found a secure long 
term home for some world class science.\u8221? \line \line {\b Terms of the 
agreement} \line Under the terms of the agreement, Roche will acquire 100% of Piramed\u8217?s 
shares for USD 160 million, plus a milestone payment of USD 15 million, which is due upon the commencement 
of phase II clinical trials for the company\u8217?s oncology programme. The final transaction value will be 
adjusted by the net cash balance remaining upon closing. Closing of the transaction is subject to standard 
conditions including review by anti-trust authorities. Completion is expected during the second quarter 
of 2008.\line \line {\b About the PI3K programmes} \line PI 
3-kinases are implicated in both cancer and immune inflammatory disease. In cancer, up-regulation of 
the PI 3-K pathway is a very common characteristic and several components of the pathway are implicated 
in the development of cancer. In addition, persistent signalling through the PI 3-K pathway has been 
shown to be a major mechanism of resistance to potential chemotherapeutic agents targeting the epidermal 
growth factor receptor. Pre-clinical data clearly point to the potential widespread anti-cancer utility 
of agents that inhibit the pathway at the level of PI3-K, particularly the alpha isoform. Such agents 
are expected to inhibit proliferation and overcome resistance to cytotoxic agents in cancer cells. \line \line The 
delta isoform of PI3-K is strongly implicated in immune inflammatory disease, primarily through the 
acquired immune system. Inhibitors of PI3-K delta down-regulate certain functions of B and T cells, 
mast cells and neutrophils and have demonstrated significant activity in various experimental models 
of human immune inflammatory disorders. These data indicate a potential for broad clinical utility as 
new therapeutic agents in this diverse disease area.\line \line {\b About 
Piramed} \line Piramed is a biotech company whose mission is to discover and develop new 
medicines primarily for the treatment of cancer and immune inflammatory disorders such as arthritis 
and asthma. Piramed is a leading company in the discovery of highly selective drugs that inhibit different 
isoforms of PI3-K, enzymes that are increasingly recognised as key players in a wide variety of disease 
processes. The company\u8217?s leadership in this area was recognised in 2005 when it secured a collaboration 
with Genentech in relation to its PI3-K alpha programme. The company also has proprietary, unpartnered 
programmes targeting the PI3-K delta isoform that are in the later stages of pre-clinical development 
and certain earlier stage programmes involving a variety of molecular targets. Additional information 
is available on the Internet at www.piramed.com (http://www.piramed.com).\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, and is a market leader in virology. It is also active in other major therapeutic areas 
such as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory and metabolic disorders and diseases of the central nervous 
system. In 2007 sales by the Pharmaceuticals Division totalled 36.8 billion Swiss francs, and the Diagnostics 
Division posted sales of 9.3 billion francs. Roche has R&D agreements and strategic alliances with 
numerous partners, including majority ownership interests in Genentech and Chugai, and invested over 
8 billion Swiss francs in R&D in 2007. Worldwide, the Group employs about 79,000 people. Additional 
information 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}\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}
}