From its early days as a developer of neuropsychology, specialty antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, to more recent ground-breaking efforts in treatments for cancer, HIV/AIDS and rheumatoid arthritis, Roche has a history of transcending conventional boundaries to deliver therapies that improve the lives of Canadians.

Roche has evolved considerably since its introduction of highly successful anti-anxiety and tension products such as Librium^® and Valium^® in the 1960s. In the 1970s and 80s Roche quickly expanded its portfolio to encompass a variety of antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-convulsant drugs, many of which continue to be used extensively in hospitals across the country. Among other achievements, Roche was the developer of Accutane™, a revolutionary treatment for severe acne.

Over the years, Roche's research and development breakthroughs have had a significant impact on how acute diseases and conditions are treated. For example, Roferon-A^® was the first genetically engineered product for the treatment of hairy-cell leukemia and Kaposi's sarcoma, while Activase^®, a recombinant DNA-derived product, has revolutionized the treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

Roche's innovative approach has been instrumental in introducing therapies that have played a key role in advancing the treatment of cancer in its various forms. These innovations include Xeloda^® and Herceptin^® for breast cancer, Vesanoid^® (leukemia), Avastin^® (colorectal cancer), Rituxan^® (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) and Tarceva^® (lung cancer), among others.

Roche's work with Rituxan^® in fact has also led to major breakthroughs in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Roche is also a key developer of therapies in the virology area. It has been responsible for introducing a number of significant therapies for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, starting with the approval of such products as Cytovene^® and Hivid^®, and more recently, Invirase^®, the first protease inhibitor for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, and Fuzeon^®, the first fusion inhibitor for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. The organization's efforts in virology have also been strengthened with the approval of Pegasys^® and Pegasys^® RBV™, revolutionary treatments for hepatitis C that are now considered to be the standard of care for this disease.

With the introduction of CellCept^®, which is now the largest selling brand of immunosuppressant therapy for transplantation in North America, the company once again established itself as an industry leader in an important clinical area. It continues to add immunosuppressant products such as Zenapax^® and Valcyte^® to its transplantation portfolio.

Roche is also the developer of Tamiflu^®, the most widely used therapy for the treatment and prevention of influenza.