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Pharmaceuticals R&D

researcher checking liquid in reagent glass

The Research and Development organisation in Pharma – which is committed to shaping the future of medicine by creating clinically-differentiated therapies – is built around five Disease Biology Areas (DBAs):

The DBAs are responsible for selecting and managing compounds from drug discovery through to medical proof-of-concept (normally in phase II of clinical development).

A dedicated interface with the Diagnostics Division ensures diagnostics input throughout the drug development process.

Key Figures

In the first six months of 2009 the Pharmaceuticals Division filed ten major new marketing applications and gained four major regulatory approvals.

As of 30 June 2009 the Pharmaceuticals Division’s research and development pipeline (phase I to III/registration) included 65 NMEs and 60 additional indications (AIs). During the first half-year six projects entered phase I, seven entered phase II and three entered phase III development. Portfolio prioritisations led to the discontinuation of three phase I and three phase II projects. Two phase III projects were discontinued.

Quarterly updates are posted to the Roche Pharmaceuticals pipeline.

Today, biopharmaceuticals account for more than half of Group sales, and Roche is the global market leader in molecular diagnostics. Biotechnology has opened up completely new approaches to diagnosing and treating disease, particularly cancer. Our development portfolio currently includes 15 therapeutic proteins, which are being developed for about 50 indications, and we are investing heavily in new manufacturing facilities to meet the growing demand for our biotherapeutics and biodiagnostics.