Latest Data Show MabThera(R) Provides Significant and Sustained Relief From Signs and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Patients Experience Consistent Safety Profile With Subsequent Courses of Therapy

New data presented at the EULAR meeting (European League Against Rheumatism) demonstrate that MabThera's (rituximab) effectiveness in relieving patients of the distressing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is sustained or further improved with subsequent courses of treatment, as is the number of patients achieving remission(1). Importantly, the safety profile of MabThera remained unchanged in patients who had received as many as seven courses of treatment at 6-12 month intervals.

Commenting on the findings, Professor Keystone, Rheumatology Department at the University of Toronto, Canada, said: "As physicians gain experience with MabThera and the long-term efficacy and safety data are collected, we are able to make treatment decisions with confidence for the ultimate benefit of our patients."

Results following subsequent courses of therapy

A total of 1053 RA patients was treated with MabThera with almost 70% of patients followed up for more than two years and 11% for more than three years. The study was conducted in patients who had an inadequate response to treatment

The data showed that after three courses of MabThera in patients who had an inadequate response to TNF inhibitors:

• The number of patients achieving the hard-to-reach goal of a 70%

improvement in disease signs and symptoms (ACR70 response(2)) almost

tripled from 11% to 25%

• The number of patients achieving remission improved from 6% to 12%

Equally, in patients with an inadequate response or intolerance to DMARDs, the remission rate increased almost threefold from 5% to 14% confirming the benefit of providing subsequent courses to responding patients.

Long-term safety of MabThera

Further pooled data examining the safety of MabThera when used long-term revealed that the safety profile of MabThera remained consistent with a low, unchanging rate of serious infections in 1053 patients, receiving up to seven treatment courses. These results add to the wealth of data contributing to MabThera's safety profile with 2438 patient-years of follow-up now collected.

Editor's Notes

About Rheumatoid Arthritis and MabThera

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterised by inflammation that leads to stiff, swollen and painful joints. Current treatments include disease-modifying drugs (DMARDS) and biologic therapy such as the TNF inhibitor drugs.

MabThera is a first-in-class therapy that selectively targets B cells early in the inflammatory cascade of rheumatoid arthritis. B cells are known to play a key role in the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis and MabThera breaks the inflammatory cascade of RA - a series of reactions inflaming the synovia and leading to the cartilage loss and bone erosion that is characteristic of the disease, and may provide an innovative new treatment even in patients with severe and long-standing disease. MabThera has a strong heritage in the treatment of a form of lymphatic cancer called non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and the safety profile of MabThera has now been established in more than 960,000 patient exposures over the last nine years in oncology and autoimmune disease.

About Roche in Rheumatoid Arthritis

One of the most important drivers for growth at Roche over the next few years is expected to be the company's emerging franchise in autoimmune diseases with rheumatoid arthritis as the first indication. Following the launch of MabThera, there are a number of projects in development, potentially allowing Roche to build on further opportunities. MabThera is the first and only

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is one of the world's leading research-focused healthcare groups in the fields of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. As the world'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's health and quality of life. Roche is the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics and drugs for cancer and transplantation, a market leader

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

For a selection of broadcast footage clips relating to MabThera and rheumatoid arthritis please visit www.thenewsmarket.com/roche

To view and download high resolution stills and media materials please visit the MabThera Virtual Press Office at www.mabthera-ra.com

References:

low disease activity is defined as DAS 28 less than or equal 3.2 and

remission is defined as DAS 28 less than or equal to 2.6

responses to anti-rheumatic therapies, devised by the American

College of Rheumatology (ACR). It requires a patient to have a

defined

percentage reduction in a number of symptoms and measures of their

disease. For example, a 20%, 50% or 70% level of reduction is

represented as ACR20, ACR50 or ACR70. An ACR70 response is

exceptional for existing treatments and represents a significant

improvement in a patient's condition.

For further information, please contact: Roche, Jennifer Wilson (on site), International Communications Manager, Tel: +41-79-619-1765; Cohn & Wolfe, Lucy Heaton (on site), Tel: +44-7931-929003; Lynn Huynh (UK), Tel : +44-207-331- 5332

SOURCE: Roche

CONTACT: Jennifer Wilson,

International Communications Manager, of Roche,

+41-79-619-1765; or

Lucy Heaton,

+44-7931-929003, or

Lynn Huynh (UK)

+44-207-331-5332,

both of Cohn & Wolfe

Web sites: http://www.roche.com

http://www.mabthera-ra.com

http://www.thenewsmarket.com/roche

--Distributed by AsiaNet ( www.asianetnews.net )--

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