Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, has posted strong performance during the year ended December 2006, mainly due to strong demand for key oncology products, the influenza medicine - Tamiflu and ophthalmology drug Lucentis.

The company's total sales improved by 17 per cent to 42,041 million Swiss Francs (CHF) from 35,511 million CHF in the previous year. The sales of pharmaceutical divisions grew by 22 per cent to 34,560 million CHF from 28,007 million CHF, over three times the global market growth rate. The company is the world's leading provider of cancer medicines. Sales of its leading oncology drug - MabThera/Rituxan (Rituximab) increased by 15 per cent to 4,839 million CHF.

The company's net profit went up by 33.6 per cent to CHF 9,171 million from CHF 6,866 million. The total sales consisting of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics increased by 18 per cent to 42 billion CHF from 35.5 billion CHF. The company's R&D expenditure went up by 16 per cent to 6,589 million CHF from 5672 million CHF. The operating profit increased by 28 per cent to 11,730 million CHF from 9,189 million CHF in the previous year.

Roche chairman and CEO, Franz B Humer, said, " 2006 was another year of strong growth and outstanding financial performance at Roche. The Group's sales rose by 18 per cent to 42 billion CHF, which reflects exceptionally strong organic growth. Top-line growth was driven primarily by the Pharmaceuticals division, where sales advanced at more than three times the market growth rate in 2006. Roche Diagnostics maintained its leadership position in an increasingly competitive market, thanks to numerious new product launches and continued growth in all of the division's business areas. With our broad portfolio of innovative products and strong R&D pipeline, we are equipped to continue growing well ahead of the market and creating value for patients, our employees and our shareholders in the years ahead."

Barring unforeseen events, Roche anticipates further positive growth in 2007. Roche expects the Group's and the Pharma division's sales to continue to grow at double-digit rates.