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{\pard\sa900\fs50\f0\i Media Release\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Basel, 8 March 2010\par}
{\pard\f0\sl360\fs22\b Roche and Biogen Idec decide to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment - Rheumatoid Arthritis development programme on hold\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Future of the Ocrelizumab RA clinical programme under evaluation\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Roche and Biogen Idec announced today their decision to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment of patients in the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) programme. The decision follows the recommendation of the independent Ocrelizumab RA & Lupus Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) based on their assessment of the studies in RA (SCRIPT, FEATURE, FILM and STAGE) and lupus (BELONG and BEGIN). \par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 The DSMB concluded that the safety risk outweighs the benefits observed in these specific patient populations at this time. The DSMB review detected an infection related safety signal which included serious and opportunistic infections, some of which were fatal. \par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 As previously announced, the FILM study in MTX-na\u239?ve RA patients was placed on clinical hold following an assessment of benefit to risk in this specific RA patient population. In addition, the BELONG study in lupus nephritis patients was previously halted due to serious and opportunistic infection signals. \par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 "Patient safety is of the utmost importance in all of our drug development programmes. In light of the DSMB recommendations we have decided to suspend Ocrelizumab treatment in the RA clinical development programme ." said Hal Barron, MD Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Roche. \par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 The SCRIPT trial in patients who inadequately responded to one or more TNF antagonists and the FILM trial remain blinded. A detailed analysis of all of the data will be conducted to help further inform the future of the Ocrelizumab RA clinical programme. \par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Ocrelizumab is also being evaluated for Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). The treatment in the Ocrelizumab RRMS Phase II study is on-going at this time.\par}
{\pard\f0\sl360\fs22\b About Biogen Idec\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Biogen Idec creates new standards of care in therapeutic areas with high unmet medical needs. Founded in 1978, Biogen Idec is a global leader in the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of innovative therapies. Patients worldwide benefit from Biogen Idec's significant products that address diseases such as lymphoma, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. For product labeling, press releases and additional information about the company, please visit http://www.biogenidec.com (http://www.biogenidec.com).\par}
{\pard\f0\sl360\fs22\b About Roche\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs22 Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world\u8217?s largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche\u8217?s personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2009, Roche had over 80\u8217?000 employees worldwide and invested almost 10 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 49.1 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information: www.roche.com.\par}
{\pard\f0\li0\ri0\sa360\sl360\fs18 All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.\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}
}