Roche invests significantly in HIV research. Pivotal studies conducted with INVIRASE^® had shown a dramatic improvement in AIDS-free survival,^5, 6 and a soft gel capsule formulation of saquinavir, FORTOVASE^®, was developed by Roche and brought to the market in 1997. Data from four studies, presented at an international HIV therapy workshop in the Netherlands in April 2001, have added further support for the investigational use of FORTOVASE^®, combined with a low booster dose of ritonavir to provide a potentially new, potent, twice- or once-daily, cost effective HIV treatment strategy.^7-10

Many people living with HIV are also infected with hepatitis C and Roche is currently developing a once-weekly, pegylated form of interferon, PEGASYS^® (peginterferon alfa-2a) for the treatment of this condition.

Roche continues its search for innovative solutions in the management of HIV and AIDS and current research programmes are broad-ranging in their pursuit of improved formulations and regimens to make a difference to the lives of people living with the virus. In addition, the search for novel compounds with different mechanisms of action, the key to combating drug resistant strains of HIV, is a priority for the company.