[Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR] Roche sales increase by 2% (CER) in first quarter with both divisions growing in high single digit ex COVID-19

Group sales grew by 2%1 at constant exchange rates (CER) (-6% in CHF), driven by the strong growth of newer medicines and diagnostics. Excluding COVID-19-related products, sales increased by 7%. Going forward, there will be no further material impact of COVID-19 sales declineDue to the appreciation of the Swiss franc against most currencies,saleswere 6% lower when reported in CHFPharmaceuticals Divisionbase business2 grew by 7%, driven by strong sales of medicines to treat severe diseases, such as Vabysmo (eye diseases), Phesgo (breast cancer), Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis), Polivy (blood cancer) and Hemlibra (haemophilia A).Divisional sales growth was 2%, reflecting the impact of the expected decline in sales of the COVID-19 medicine RonapreveDiagnostics Division base business2 grew by 8%, supported by growth across all regions because of demand for immunodiagnostic products, clinical chemistry tests and advanced staining solutions. As this growth was partially offset by the lower demand for COVID-19 tests,divisional salesgrew by 2%Highlights in the first quarter:US approvals ofXolair(food allergies) andAlecensa (early-stage lung cancer)Positive phase III data forXolair(food allergies),Columvi(blood cancer) andOcrevussubcutaneous injection (multiple sclerosis); positive phase II results forzilebesiran (hypertension in people with high cardiovascular risk)New positive long-term data forVabysmo(retinal vein occlusion, a severe eye disease)US approval for the firstmolecular test...
Source: Roche Media News - Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news