Basel, Switzerland, 3 september 2001 - Roche and the Brazilian Ministry of Health have reached an agreement on the conditions for the supply of the HIV medication Viracept^â (nelfinavir) and the Brazilian Ministry of Health has agreed to honour the patent for the drug. The agreement secures the supply of the much needed AIDS medication during 2002 at substantially reduced prices for Brazilians treated within the Government programme. This agreement was reached following recent negotiations between the Ministry of Health and Roche.

The President of Roche Brazil, Ernest Egli stated: “We are pleased that after lengthy negotiations we have reached this agreement with the Minister of Health which is acceptable for both parties. In achieving this outcome we can continue to make a very special effort to collaborate with the exemplary AIDS programme of the Brazilian Government.”

The price agreed for 2002 represents an additional reduction of 40%. In addition, Roche is starting local production of the drug in Brazil early next year. The shift to local production of Viracept by Roche in Brazil is made possible by the volume of the tender purchase agreed with the Brazilian Government. With this agreement Roche continues to demonstrate its commitment to working in partnership with the Brazilian Government in their well-established fight against HIV and AIDS.

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