[Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR] Roche reports strong growth in both divisions’ base business; Group sales and profit reflect declining demand for COVID-19 products
Roche Group reports strong sales growth in Pharmaceuticals Division and decline in Diagnostics Division due to lower demand for COVID-19 tests. Core earnings per share and IFRS net income decrease. Important pipeline milestones reached. Outlook for 2023 confirmed.
Positive
Pharmaceuticals Division sales grow strongly by 8% due to high demand for newer medicines. New eye medicine Vabysmo is the strongest growth driver. US and EU approvals for blood cancer medicine Columvi and gene therapy Elevidys. Positive data for multiple sclerosis medicine Ocrevus and spinal muscular atrophy medicine Evrysdi. Start of phase III study for liver cancer medicine tiragolumab. Partnership with Alnylam for hypertension medicine development. WHO prequalification of cobas HPV test.
Negative
Group sales decrease 2% (-8% in Swiss francs) due to declining demand for COVID-19 products. Core earnings per share decrease 5% and IFRS net income down 9%. Diagnostics Division sales decline 23% due to lower demand for COVID-19 tests.
07/27/2023 - 01:00 AM
Basel, 27 July 2023
Excluding COVID-19 products, Group sales increase strongly by 8% 1 at constant exchange rates (CER) In line with the expected declining demand for COVID-19 products, Group sales decrease 2% (-8% in Swiss francs) Pharmaceuticals Division sales grow strongly by 8% due to continued high demand for newer medicines; new eye medicine Vabysmo is the strongest growth driverDiagnostics Division’s base business continues its good growth momentum with an increase of 6% , while total divisional sales are 23% lower due to exceptionally high demand for COVID-19 tests in the first half of 2022 Core earnings per share decrease 5% , driven by lower demand for COVID-19 products and a base effect from a patent settlement in 2022; IFRS net income down 9% due to lower core operating profit and higher interest expensesHighlights in the second quarter of 2023:US and EU approvals of Columvi (aggressive form of blood cancer) US approval of Elevidys for Roche partner Sarepta (first gene therapy for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy) Positive phase III data for subcutaneous injection of Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis); positive long-term efficacy and safety data for Evrysdi (spinal muscular atrophy) and positive phase II data for fenebrutinib (multiple sclerosis) Start of phase III study of tiragolumab in combination with Tecentriq and Avastin (liver cancer) Partnership with Alnylam to co-develop phase II RNAi therapeutic zilebesiran (hypertension in patients with high cardiovascular risk)WHO prequalification of cobas HPV test enables improved access to cervical cancer screening in low and lower-middle income countries Outlook for 2023 confirmed Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker: “In the first half of 2023, sales in the base business of both our divisions grew strongly, largely offsetting the impact of declining demand for COVID-19 products. Vabysmo continues its strong momentum – now providing treatment for patients with severe eye conditions in over 70 countries. We reached several important pipeline milestones, including the US and EU approvals of our blood cancer medicine Columvi. I am also excited about our partnership with Alnylam to develop a potentially transformative medicine for patients living with hypertension, which affects 1.2 billion adults worldwide and is the leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease. We confirm our outlook for 2023.”
Key figures CHF millions % change January–June 2023 2023 2022 At CER 1 In CHF Group sales 29,779 32,295 -2 -8 Pharmaceuticals Division sales 22,681 22,347 8 1 Diagnostics Division sales 7,098 9,948 -23 -29 Core operating profit 10,911 12,668 -6 -14 Core EPS – diluted (CHF) 10.10 11.76 -5 -14 IFRS net income 7,563 9,161 -9 -17
Outlook for 2023 confirmed
Core earnings per share are targeted to develop broadly in line with the sales decline (at CER). Roche expects to further increase its dividend in Swiss francs.
Group results Roche Group’s base business achieved strong sales growth of 8% . This partially compensated for the expected decline of COVID-19 sales.
Overall, Roche reported a 2% decline in Group sales (-8% in CHF).
The appreciation of the Swiss franc against most currencies had a significant adverse impact on the results presented in Swiss francs compared to constant exchange rates.
Core operating profit was down 6% (-14% in CHF), reflecting the sales decline in COVID-19 products and the income from the patent settlement in Japan in the first half of 2022.
Core earnings per share decreased 5% , also driven by lower demand for COVID-19 products and the base effect from the above-mentioned patent settlement; IFRS net income declined 9% due to lower core operating profit and higher interest expenses.
Sales in the Pharmaceuticals Division increased by 8% to CHF 22.7 billion. Newer medicines to treat severe diseases continued their strong growth.
The eye medicine Vabysmo, launched only in early 2022, was again the major driver of growth, with sales of CHF 1.0 billion, mainly in the US.
The top five growth drivers – Vabysmo, Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis), Hemlibra (haemophilia), Evrysdi (spinal muscular atrophy) and Phesgo (breast cancer) – generated total sales of CHF 7.5 billion, representing an increase of CHF 2.2 billion from the first half of 2022.
In the United States , sales grew 7% . Vabysmo generated CHF 0.8 billion in sales. The positive impact of the growth of Vabysmo, Ocrevus, Hemlibra, Tecentriq (cancer immunotherapy) and Activase/TNKase (cardiac diseases) was partly offset by lower sales of medicines for which patent protection has expired.
In Europe , sales increased by 5% , driven by the launch of Vabysmo and the continued uptake of Evrysdi, Phesgo, Hemlibra and Ocrevus. This was partially offset by the biosimilars impact and lower sales of Ronapreve (COVID-19).
Sales in Japan rose 14% , mainly due to supplies of Ronapreve to the government and supported by sales growth of Polivy, Vabysmo and Hemlibra. These more than offset the impact of biosimilars and government price cuts.
Sales in the International region grew by 9% . This positive trend was observed across all major markets. Perjeta (breast cancer), Evrysdi, Ocrevus, Hemlibra and Kadcyla (breast cancer) were the main drivers. Sales in China increased by 3% , driven by Tamiflu (influenza), Perjeta, Xofluza (influenza), Actemra/RoActemra (COVID-19/rheumatoid arthritis) and Polivy. This more than offset the impact of biosimilars.
The Diagnostics Division’s base business – up 6% – achieved strong results over the first six months across all regions.
The main contributors to growth were immunodiagnostics, particularly cardiac tests, and diagnostics solutions for clinical chemistry.
Overall, the Diagnostics Division reported sales of CHF 7.1 billion, a decline of 23% reflecting the expected tapering of demand for COVID-19 tests (CHF 0.4 billion in the first half of 2023, compared to CHF 3.1 billion in the first half of 2022).
The impact of COVID-19 was evident in most regions: The North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions experienced a sales decline of 30% , 23% and 22% , respectively. Sales in Latin America remained stable.
Pharmaceuticals: key development milestones in the second quarter of 2023
Compound Milestone Regulatory Evrysdi CHMP recommends Evrysdi for babies under two months old with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Positive recommendation is based on interim data from ongoing RAINBOWFISH trial which showed majority of Evrysdi-treated babies were able to stand and walk within timeframes typical of healthy babies by 12 months’ treatment If approved by the European Commission, Evrysdi will be available to treat people of all ages with SMA in the European Union, including babies from birth Evrysdi is now approved in 100 countries with more than 8,500 patients treated globally Media Release Columvi European Commission approves fixed-duration Columvi ( glofitamab ) for people with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma Columvi is the first CD20xCD3 T-cell-engaging bispecific antibody available in Europe to treat the most common and aggressive form of lymphoma Approval is based on results from the phase I/II NP30179 study, where Columvi given as a fixed course induced early and long-lasting complete responses in people with heavily pre-treated or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma Columvi is given for a fixed period of time and made readily available, providing patients with a treatment end date and treatment-free period Media Release Columvi FDA approves Columvi , the first and only bispecific antibody with a fixed-duration treatment for people with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma Pivotal study showed durable responses, with a 56% overall response rate, a 43% complete response (remission) rate and a median duration of response of 1.5 years Given over a fixed period of time, Columvi provides patients with a treatment end date and potential time off treatment Columvi is part of Roche’s industry-leading portfolio of T-cell-engaging bispecific antibodies in non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which also includes Lunsumio, the recently approved medicine for the treatment of follicular lymphoma Media Release Vabysmo FDA accepts application for Vabysmo for treatment of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) Acceptance based on two phase III studies that demonstrated early and sustained vision improvement with Vabysmo, meeting primary endpoint of non-inferiority compared to aflibercept Application was further supported by data showing Vabysmo achieved rapid and robust drying of retinal fluid If approved, RVO would be the third indication for Vabysmo in addition to neovascular or ‘wet’ age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) Media Release Phase III, pivotal and other key readouts; data presentations Vabysmo American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) meeting: New clinical and real-world data for Vabysmo reveal improved outcomes for people with two leading causes of vision loss Late-breaking post-hoc data indicate Vabysmo leads to less fibrosis, which may negatively impact vision, than aflibercept in people with diabetic macular edema (DME) Real-world data reinforce that first-line Vabysmo use improves outcomes and extends treatment intervals rapidly during the first four months for people with neovascular or ‘wet’ age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and DME Clinical data reiterate Vabysmo’s positive anatomical outcomes, including reduced blood vessel leakage in the macula and greater and faster retinal fluid control Vabysmo is currently approved in over 70 countries to treat nAMD and DME, with more than one million doses distributed globally Media Release Ocrevus Positive phase III results for Ocrevus twice a year, 10-minute subcutaneous injection in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) Phase III OCARINA II trial met primary and secondary endpoints Ocrevus twice a year, 10-minute injection has the potential to further improve the treatment experience and expand Ocrevus usage in MS centres with intravenous infusion (IV) capacity limitations or without IV infrastructure Ocrevus remains the first and only therapy approved for both relapsing forms of MS or primary progressive MS (RMS and PPMS), and more than 300,000 people have been treated globally Media Release Evrysdi Four-year follow-up data on Evrysdi show continued increase in number of children with a severe form of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) who are able to sit, stand and walk Data from ongoing FIREFISH study confirm long-term efficacy and safety profile of Evrysdi in children with type 1 SMA At month 48, 91% of children were alive More than 95% maintained the ability to swallow – without treatment they would have required feeding support and majority would have died within two years Evrysdi is now approved in 99 countries with more than 8,500 patients treated globally Media Release Crovalimab European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress: New data show subcutaneously administered crovalimab achieved disease control and was well-tolerated in people with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) The COMMODORE 2 study demonstrated that subcutaneous crovalimab every four weeks was non-inferior to intravenous eculizumab every two weeks, with comparable safety, in people new to C5 inhibitors Monthly self-administration of subcutaneous crovalimab has the potential to address the high burden of a disease that requires lifelong treatment including in settings where access to current C5 inhibitors is limited The COMMODORE 1 study in people switching from currently approved C5 inhibitors supported the consistent benefit-risk profile of crovalimab as seen in the COMMODORE 2 study Media Release Tiragolumab American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) meeting: Roche to present new data in blood cancers and solid tumours from its broad portfolio Phase Ib/II study evaluated tiragolumab in combination with Tecentriq and Avastin in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) shows encouraging data Based on the promising results, Roche expanded its development programme with the new phase III IMbrave152/SKYSCRAPER-14 study IR Update Fenebrutinib BTK inhibitor fenebrutinib significantly reduces brain lesions in people with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis Fenebrutinib is an investigational, potent and highly selective oral Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor, the only reversible BTK inhibitor currently in phase III multiple sclerosis (MS) trials Phase II study met its primary and secondary endpoints by reducing the total number of new gadolinium-enhancing T1 brain lesions and significantly reducing the total number of new or enlarging T2 brain lesions compared to placebo The safety profile of fenebrutinib was consistent with previous and ongoing clinical trials across more than 2,400 people to date Media Release
Others Partnership with Alnylam Roche enters partnership with Alnylam to co-develop and co- commercialise RNAi therapeutic zilebesiran to treat hypertension in patients with high cardiovascular risk Partnership combines Roche’s proven track record of successfully developing and launching innovative medicines worldwide with Alnylam’s leadership in RNAi therapeutics Zilebesiran, a phase II RNAi therapeutic, has best-in-disease potential for patients with hypertension at high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, by robustly and durably lowering blood pressure Hypertension, the leading cause of cardiovascular disease, affects more than 1.2 billion adults worldwide. While several therapies exist, a significant unmet need, especially for high risk patients, remains Media Release Institute of Human Biology Roche launches Institute of Human Biology (IHB) to accelerate breakthroughs in research and development by unlocking the potential of human model systems The IHB aims to better predict which drug candidates are safe and most effective in patients by evolving and increasing the use of human model systems Human model systems are miniature living ‘replicas’ of human tissues and organs that also have the potential to reduce reliance on animal testing The institute brings together scientists from academia and industry to lead the broad adoption of human model systems in pharmaceutical R&D as well as in clinical practice Media Release
Pharmaceuticals sales
Sales CHF millions As % of sales % change January–June 2023 2023 2022 2023 2022 At CER In CHF Pharmaceuticals Division 22,681 22,347 100.0 100.0 8 1 United States 11,743 11,363 51.8 50.8 7 3 Europe 4,105 4,104 18.1 18.4 5 0 Japan 2,210 2,202 9.7 9.9 14 0 International* 4,623 4,678 20.4 20.9 9 -1
*Asia-Pacific, CEETRIS (Central Eastern Europe, Türkiye, Russia and Indian subcontinent), Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Canada, others
Top-selling medicines Total United States Europe Japan International CHF m % CHF m % CHF m % CHF m % CHF m % Ocrevus Multiple sclerosis 3,200 15 2,346 13 584 13 - - 270 28 Hemlibra Haemophilia A 2,087 20 1,247 18 419 22 192 21 229 34 Perjeta 2 Breast cancer 2,082 9 763 7 413 -5 109 3 797 20 Tecentriq Cancer immunotherapy 1,853 12 1,000 9 398 9 214 11 241 28 Actemra/RoActemra 2 RA, COVID-19 1,296 -6 574 -11 383 -4 157 3 182 1 Xolair 2 Asthma 1,031 4 1,031 4 - - - - - - Kadcyla 2 Breast cancer 1,001 0 386 -4 298 -10 52 -13 265 24 Vabysmo Eye diseases (nAMD, DME) 957 ** 788 ** 103 ** 46 ** 20 ** MabThera/Rituxan 2 Blood cancer, RA 882 -17 534 -20 96 -4 13 -14 239 -13 Herceptin 2 Breast and gastric cancer 878 -19 176 -31 183 -17 17 -32 502 -14 Avastin 2 Various cancer types 837 -21 256 -23 57 -48 177 -23 347 -10 Alecensa Lung cancer 758 10 221 11 148 4 107 6 282 14 Evrysdi Spinal muscular atrophy 705 48 255 16 241 66 45 34 164 105 Activase/TNKase Cardiac diseases 621 15 592 15 - - - - 29 12 Ronapreve 550 2 - - - -100 549 33 1 -99 Phesgo Breast cancer 517 69 209 57 240 57 - - 68 216 Gazyva/Gazyvaro 2 Blood cancer 402 22 194 25 111 24 20 -17 77 28 Polivy Blood cancer 353 114 124 65 80 84 108 182 41 339 Lucentis 2 Various eye diseases 299 -46 299 -46 - - - - - -
** Over 500%
Diagnostics: key milestones in the first half of 2023
Product Milestone Elecsys beta-Amyloid (1-42) CSF II and Elecsys Total-Tau CSF assays Roche receives FDA clearance for additional Alzheimer’s disease Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) assays, supporting timely diagnosis and treatment decision-making The Elecsys tTau/Abeta42 ratio helps clinicians define Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biologically and expands Roche’s AD CSF portfolio to include biomarkers for all three main pathological processes of Alzheimer’s: amyloid plaques, tau tangles and neurodegeneration Confirmation of amyloid pathology via CSF FDA-cleared Alzheimer’s biomarker testing or amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) is recommended in the appropriate use recommendations for new and emerging disease-modifying therapies shown to slow down cognitive decline when administered in early-disease stages Scalable and economical, Elecsys AD CSF assays can be added to any of Roche’s widely available cobas fully automated immunoassay analyzers, giving patients broad access to high-quality testing in a timely manner Media Release cobas HPV test Roche awarded WHO prequalification for the cobas HPV test, increasing access to cervical cancer screening tools in low and lower-middle income countries (LMICs) Every year, over 600,000 women worldwide are diagnosed with cervical cancer and over 340,000 die from this preventable disease, caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Nine out of ten women who die from cervical cancer live in LMICs WHO prequalification enables LMICs to use the cobas HPV test in their national cervical cancer elimination programmes, increasing access to the patients who need it most Establishing screening programmes helps prevent and detect cervical cancer, which is especially important in areas with limited healthcare resources where patients are often diagnosed with the disease at late stages Media Release
Diagnostics sales
Sales CHF millions As % of sales % change January–June 2023 2023 2022 2023 2022 At CER In CHF Diagnostics Division 7,098 9,948 100.0 100.0 -23 -29 Customer Areas3 Core Lab 3,935 3,875 55.4 38.9 10 2 Molecular Lab 1,118 1,980 15.8 19.9 -40 -44 Diabetes Care 723 832 10.2 8.4 -5 -13 Pathology Lab 687 652 9.7 6.6 12 5 Point of Care 635 2,609 8.9 26.2 -74 -76 Regions Europe, Middle East and Africa 2,456 3,350 34.6 33.4 -22 -27 North America 1,940 2,868 27.3 29.0 -30 -32 Asia–Pacific 2,205 3,171 31.1 32.0 -23 -30 Latin America 497 559 7.0 5.6 0 -11
More information on Roche performance in the first half of 2023:
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H ans Trees, PhD Nathalie Altermatt Karsten Kleine Nina Mählitz Kirti Pandey Sileia Urech
What is the sales growth in the Pharmaceuticals Division?
Pharmaceuticals Division sales grow strongly by 8% due to high demand for newer medicines.
What are the important pipeline milestones reached?
Important milestones include US and EU approvals for blood cancer medicine Columvi and gene therapy Elevidys, positive data for multiple sclerosis medicine Ocrevus and spinal muscular atrophy medicine Evrysdi, and start of phase III study for liver cancer medicine tiragolumab.
What partnership has Roche formed for hypertension medicine?
Roche has formed a partnership with Alnylam to co-develop a potentially transformative medicine for hypertension.
What is the significance of WHO prequalification of cobas HPV test?
The prequalification enables improved access to cervical cancer screening in low and lower-middle income countries.
