Roche rapidly responds to WHO request to deploy Rapid Response Stockpiles of Tamiflu to tackle global emergence of a new H1N1 influenza A strain - swine flu*

Roche confirms that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has requested deployment of the “Rapid Response Stockpile.” The stockpile is being deployed to countries in need at the discretion of WHO.

The stockpiles includes both the 2 million treatment courses held by the WHO and the 3 million treatment course rapid response stockpile held by Roche.

David Reddy, Roche’s Pandemic Taskforce Leader commented: “Roche is committed to support WHO and Governments. We can confirm that WHO has asked us to activate our “Rapid Response Stockpile” today. Also, Roche is scaling up production in the best interest of all stakeholders”.

In addition, Roche is continuing to maximize manufacturing output of Tamiflu to meet the growing demand. Over the past week Roche has been ramping up Tamiflu output at multiple points in the supply chain. Production ramp up will continue over time resulting in a continuous and increasing flow of Tamiflu.

Roche is committed to supporting Governments in combating this outbreak of influenza and is working closely with them to supply orders of Tamiflu as requested.

Notes to Editors
*H1N1 swine-flu virus causing outbreak is a new virus, antigenically very different from the seasonal A[H1N1] virus
About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche’s personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients.

In 2008, Roche had over 80’000 employees worldwide and invested almost 9 billion Swiss francs in R&D.

The Group posted sales of 45.6 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information: www.roche.com.

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