Roche to announce new breast cancer data

Basel, 10th December 2007 – Experts attending the 30th San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) December 13-16, will be amongst the first to hear new data that highlight further advances in the treatment of breast cancer with Avastin, Herceptin, pertuzumab and Xeloda.

Data to be presented will show that Avastin may have the potential to be used as a curative treatment following breast cancer surgery. Results from the randomized CHAT study (Xeloda, Herceptin and Taxotere), will show that Xeloda when added to Herceptin and docetaxel offers important survival benefits for women with advanced breast cancer. In addition, data from two new studies will show that patients whose cancer has progressed and who have received Herceptin as part of their first-line therapy benefit from continued treatment with Herceptin.

For pertuzumab, phase II study data will confirm the benefit and good safety profile seen when combining pertuzumab with Herceptin in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide with over 1 million new cases diagnosed every year , and more than 400,000 deaths, making it the leading cause of cancer mortality in women. However, while the incidence is increasing, outcomes are improving, with more women now living longer with their disease and many having the possibility of being cured.

At SABCS, Roche will present almost 50 abstracts. Among the highlights will be:
Avastin Phase II feasibility trial incorporating bevacizumab into dose dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel in patients with lymph node positive breast cancer: a trial of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (E2104) Friday 14 December, Poster Session 3, Exhibit Hall B, 17.00 – 19.00

Herceptin Trastuzumab treatment beyond progression in patients with HER-2 positive metastatic breast cancer - the TBP study (GBG 26/BIG 3-05).

Clinical use of trastuzumab (Herceptin®) in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in Germany from 2001 to 2006 Saturday 15 December, Poster Session 4, Exhibit Hall B, 7.00-9.00

Saturday 15 December, Poster Session 4, Exhibit Hall B, 07.00-09.00
Xeloda Evaluation of trastuzumab, doxetaxel and capecitabine as first-line therapy for HER2-positive locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer Friday 14 December, Poster Discussion Session 3, Ballroom B, 17.00 – 19.00
pertuzumab Safety of pertuzumab plus trastuzumab in a Phase II trial of patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer which had progressed during trastuzumab therapy Sunday 16 December, General Session 7, Exhibit Hall D, 09.00 – 12.00
Presentation: 09.30 – 09.45

2007 has delivered significant improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of various forms of breast cancer. Among the highlights were the European approval of Avastin for up-front use in metastatic breast cancer - the first treatment to offer women with late stage disease the chance to live twice as long without their disease progressing. In addition, the use of Herceptin was widened when it too gained European approval for use in combination with hormonal based treatment for advanced breast cancer because it may reduce the need for mastectomies in women with HER2-positive disease - a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer.

The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is one of the most significant global cancer meetings bringing together breast cancer researchers and clinicians from around the world every year. In 2007 over 8000 delegates from more than 80 countries are expected to attend. Full details can be found at: www.sabcs.org

For further information please contact
Christine McMenamin - Roche
Tel: + 41 61 688 2139
Mob: + 41 79 618 7671
Anne Cameron - Galliard
Tel: +44 (0) 207 663 2256
Mob: +44 (0) 78 416 36 871