Title: Tamiflu, a New Flu Treatment, Approved In Switzerland

September 24, 1999

NUTLEY, N.J. -- September 24, 1999 -- Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.'s Tamiflu™ (oseltamivir phosphate) was approved by the Swiss Regulatory Authority (Interkantonale Kontrollstelle fur Heilmittel) for the treatment of influenza. Tamiflu, the first neuraminidase inhibitor in a convenient pill form, is designed to treat all common strains of influenza and to reduce both the duration of illness and the severity of symptoms.

Tamiflu will be available by prescription beginning October 1st in Switzerland. U.S. and Canadian regulatory authorities have granted Tamiflu priority review status, and a decision is expected in the U.S. in time for this year's flu season. Other regulatory approvals for Tamiflu are pending worldwide.

During influenza infection, millions of uncontrolled replicating flu viruses, infect the ear, nose, throat and the chest, creating discomfort for the infected individual. Tamiflu is an innovative flu treatment that is designed to stop the virus from multiplying and spreading throughout the body. Tamiflu, when taken at the onset of flu symptoms (fever, cough, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, fatigue and muscle aches), twice daily for five days, has been shown to stop the replication and spread of the influenza virus. Tamiflu reaches all key sites of infection within the body, inhibiting further spread of the virus.

Tamiflu, co-developed with Gilead Sciences, Inc., has been studied in more than 7,000 patients worldwide. Data involving 1,348 patients from trials conducted in the U.S., Europe, Canada and China were presented to regulatory authorities for the treatment of influenza.

In a U.S. clinical trial, Tamiflu reduced the duration of illness by 30 percent and severity of symptoms by 40 percent, including fever, cough, aches and pains. In addition, Tamiflu reduced the incidence of secondary flu complications treated with antibiotics, such as bronchitis and sinusitis, by approximately 50 percent, in previously healthy adults. During five days of treatment for acute influenza, Tamiflu was well tolerated, with only some patients reporting transient, mostly mild nausea or vomiting.