The pharmaceuticals division posted strong growth in the first half of 2005, with sales up 22% in local currencies (19% in Swiss francs; 25% in U.S. dollars). This was three times the global market growth rate of 7% and resulted in significant market share gains for Roche.
Commenting on the interim figures, Roche chairman and CEO Franz Humer said, “Roche performed extremely well in the first half of 2005. We increased our net income, strengthened our market position and made progress on major development projects… Most important of all, though, are the very positive data coming out of so many of the Group’s clinical trials. They signal new hope for many patients, particularly patients with cancer.”
According to Mr Humer, the company remains confident about the outlook for full-year 2005 despite the loss of its US patent of Rocephin, the bacterial infection drug.