Roche Swine Flu (Swiss: RO.SW)

During the outbreak of H5N1 Bird Flu, Roche was the largest producer of Tamiflu, the antiviral to counter the bird flu virus at a global scale.

roche-tamifluTamiflu has responded very well to the early forms of the H1N1 virus but mutating strains mean further swine flu treatments are being developed to come up with a Tamiflu equivalent that can provide effective swine flu protection.

Roche is in partnership with many specific biotech companies and has the manufacturing capabilities to produce 400 million treatments of Tamiflu over a 12-month period, meaning production can outweigh demand for once.

Sales of Tamiflu generated $527 million to Roche in 2008 and such figures are expect to multiply in 2009. Roche also distributes diagnostic the now popular H1N1 flu test, also knows as the swine flu test kit.

Latest Discoveries - Effects of Tamiflu and Relenza in Children

Roche Company Overview

roche-logoA direct competitor of GlaxoSmithKline’s Relenza, Roche Group is one of the biggest healthcare providers and top pharmaceutical companies in the world.

The Swiss based company has been a world leader for over 100 years and plays a strong pioneering role in the healthcare industry.

As an innovator of products and services for the early detection, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, Roche diagnostics contributes on a broad variety of healthcare aspects.

roche-virusRoche diagnostics provides products that are tailored to the needs of specific patient groups, and has a mission to create added value in healthcare by focusing on their expertise in diagnostics and pharmaceuticals.

Roche share price hasn’t exceeded the 20% return since the first swine flu symptoms were reported in Mexico in April 2009, a clear indication that Tamiflu is not the solution to the swine flu pandemic. Roche Sales in 2008 were 45,617 Million CHF (Swiss Francs) but Roche stock price dropped over 40% during that same period.