Roche confirms 2007 forecasts, interest in acquisitions

Roche confirms 2007 forecasts, interest in acquisitions

	Published : Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:48 By : Agencies Print this Story

PARIS (Thomson Financial) - Roche AG CEO Franz Humer confirmed the company's forecasts for its results in 2007 and its interest in potential acquisitions he has targeted.

Roche is forecasting that its EPS will grow faster than its sales, Humer confirmed at a press briefing in Paris.

The group, which said at the beginning of the year that it was expecting double digit growth for its 2007 results, had subsequently raised its forecast in mid-April after the publication of its quarterly results, which were higher than expected.

Humer also said that Roche's strategy remained unchanged. 'We do not have a presence in generics, and we won't have one ... we are not interested in megamergers or mega-acquisitions'.

The group would rather complete its portfolio via small and medium-sized acquisitions, the CEO said.

Asked about the possibility of Roche agreeing to alliances similar to that reached with US company Genentech Inc, in which it has a majority stake -- Humer replied: 'If the opportunity to create a similar structure presented itself, the group would certainly do so.'

Humer also reiterated his interest in an alliance with French biotechnology company Transgene. The two groups are cooperating on vaccines against the human papilloma virus, linked to the development of pre-cancerous lesions.

The technologies used in the field of therapeutic vaccines could be among those which could 'change the face of science within 10-20 years', Humer said. He added that Transgene has a product within this sector which is 'at a very advanced stage'.

Humer said that the reorganisation of Roche's research in five therapeutic fields, announced at the beginning of 2007, would be 'in place from July 1'.

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