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Neurology

We're pushing boundaries of scientific understanding to achieve clinical advancements and solve some of the greatest challenges in neurology today.

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Challenge

There is an innate brilliance in each of us. It lives in our thoughts and feelings and comes to life in the thousands of expressions and movements we make each day. Neurological disorders can dim this brilliance and create barriers that impact our ability to communicate, move, and remember. They can change or take away the unique qualities that make us who we are. However, people with neurological disorders face their challenges with bravery and determination.

Impacting billions

There are hundreds of neurological disorders impacting billions of people around the world.1 Almost everyone knows a person affected by a neurological disorder, which can have a profound impact on day-to-day life. We focus on disorders that pose the greatest challenges to society, and where we can harness our science to develop and deliver innovative diagnostics and transformative medicines that redefine how neurological conditions are managed.

Focus

Transformational science

At Roche, we are pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding to achieve clinical advancements and solve some of the greatest challenges in neurology today. We advance the science with intentional focus on the best approaches, molecules, and technologies that have transformative potential in neurology.

We are responsible for major therapeutic advances for some of the world’s most difficult-to-treat neurological disorders and with diagnostics and medicines under one roof we strive to improve diagnosis and advance treatment.

Bridging the gap

Neurological disorders are some of the most difficult to understand and treat, and the impact of these disorders creates significant challenges for healthcare systems, economies, patients, and families across the globe.

A WHO 2022 position paper stated that optimising brain health is paramount to human health and can create positive social and economic impact.2 We are uniquely positioned with collective experience, expertise and resources to explore meaningful solutions towards the broader brain health ambition. Read more about how we are working with our partners to drive active change and tackle societal burden head on.

Hope for the future

We strive to address neurological disorders to overcome the barriers that diminish the brilliance in each of us.

We are committed to do this for the long term by investing in research and technologies that can diagnose and treat diseases earlier, leading to better outcomes for both patients and society broadly. Our hope is to create a tomorrow where neurological disorders no longer limit our human potential—to preserve what makes us who we are.

References:

  1.  Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation. The Lancet Neurology: Neurological conditions now leading cause of ill health and disability globally, affecting 3.4 billion people worldwide. [Online] Available at: https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/newsroom/news-releases/lancet-neurology-neurological-conditions-now-leading-cause-ill Last accessed: September 2025.

  2. The value of action: mitigating the global impact of neurological disorders [Online]. Available at: https://impact.economist.com/health/mitigating-global-impact-neurological-disorders. Last accessed: September 2025.

Roche in Neurology and Rare Disease

At Roche, our hope is to create a tomorrow where neurological disorders no longer limit human potential – to preserve what makes us who we are.

Featured stories

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Series

What makes you, you: Nadya’s story

Nadya doesn’t allow her SMA to define her, as she makes time to pursue her passions such as painting.

[Potrait] Helen
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What makes you, you: Helen’s story

Helen is living with Alzheimer’s Disease, and she tells us about her passion for community advocacy and how she has continued this work since her diagnosis.

Cases in detail

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    Multiple Sclerosis

    We’re committed to advancing the clinical understanding of underlying disease activity and progression for the millions of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) worldwide.

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    Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

    We have been working in partnership with the SMA community to transform outcomes for a broad range of people living with the rare, neurological condition.

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    Duchenne muscular dystrophy

    Together with Sarepta Therapeutics, Roche is partnering with the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) community to change the way Duchenne is treated.

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    Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)

    Through medical innovation and partnerships, we are providing new options to people living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) to help them retain as much independence as possible.

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    Alzheimer's disease

    Rising to the global challenge of Alzheimer’s disease through innovation and collaboration.

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    Rare disease

    Working together to build a better world for people with rare diseases.

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    Parkinson’s disease

    Our goal is to slow or stop disease progression in people with Parkinson’s disease by targeting the underlying cause of the disease.

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    Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD)

    We are committed to advancing the understanding of MOGAD and pioneering new therapeutic options for this rare autoimmune disease.

Stories of

Neurology

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    Beat by beat: Living beyond Parkinson’s

    Scott, an HR professional and coach in Basel, suddenly found himself in uncharted territory—facing medical uncertainty and personal resilience. As a passionate part-time drummer, he's determined not to miss a beat in his search for answers.

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    50 Years Forward: Roche’s Relentless Pursuit of Parkinson’s

    For more than 50 years, Roche has been committed to Parkinson’s research. Today, progress is bringing us closer to treatments that could slow progression and help people stay independent for longer.

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    Caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s: Silvia’s journey

    Silvia didn’t just become her father’s caregiver—she became the balance-keeper at home, supporting both parents as Alzheimer’s reshaped the family’s care ecosystem.

More focus areas

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Cardiometabolic diseases

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Diabetes

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Haematology

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Infectious diseases

Assay plates sit on bays of an automated microscope to be analyzed /phenotyped

Inflammatory bowel diseases

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Oncology

A healthcare worker wearing protective goggles, a green mask, and teal gloves focuses intently while examining something. Professional and focused tone.

Ophthalmology

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Respiratory

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Women’s Health

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Partnering

Innovation

At Roche Partnering, we are passionate about science: yours and ours. Through partnerships, we hope that together we can build a better future with medicines that make a real difference to patients.

Clinical trials

Innovation

Clinical trials are essential to determine whether new drugs or diagnostics are safe and effective when used to diagnose or treat people.