Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche (SWX: ROG, OTCMKTS: RHHBY) reported a 5% year-on-year (YOY) increase in overall group sales at constant exchange rates (CER) to CHF 32.3 billion (USD 33.3 billion) for the first half of 2022. The growth was driven by new drugs for hemophilia, cancer, and neurological disorders, which offset the impact of biosimilars.
Pharmaceuticals Unit
The pharmaceuticals unit saw a 3% YOY growth to CHF 22.3 billion (USD 23.0 billion). Key products included:
- Ocrevus (ocrelizumab): Multiple sclerosis treatment with CHF 2.9 billion (USD 3.0 billion) in sales, up 17% YOY.
- Perjeta (pertuzumab): Breast cancer therapy with CHF 2.1 billion (USD 2.1 billion), a 5% increase.
- Hemlibra (emicizumab): Hemophilia drug with CHF 1.8 billion (USD 1.9 billion), up 30%.
- Tecentriq (atezolizumab): PD-L1-targeting drug with CHF 1.8 billion (USD 1.8 billion), up 11%.
Diagnostics Division
The diagnostics division reported an 11% YOY increase to CHF 9.9 billion (USD 10.3 billion), driven by immunodiagnostics products, particularly cardiac tests.
Geographic Performance
- Japan: 34% growth, driven by demand for COVID-19 therapy Ronapreve (casirivimab/imdevimab).
- United States: 1% increase.
- Europe: 4% decrease.
- International Region: 2% increase, with China sales down 7% due to biosimilar competition and COVID-19 restrictions. Roche CEO Severin Schwan noted a recovery in China: “We have actually had already a strong start into Q3, so we should see a positive trend for the base business for the remainder of this year [in China].”
Leadership Changes
Roche announced an internal leadership shuffle:
- Current CEO Severin Schwan will be replaced by Diagnostics division CEO Thomas Schinecker effective March 2023.
- Schwan is proposed to become group chairman, succeeding retiring Christoph Franz.-Fineline Info & Tech
