Roche has announced its yearly results with pharmaceutical sales up 25 per cent to 27.2 billion Swiss francs (CHF).

The company as a whole had sales of 35.5 billion CHF, up 20 per cent, with its operating profit up 33 per cent to 9.0 billion CHF.

Roche chairman and chief executive Franz Humer said: "2005 was an excellent year for Roche.

"The pharmaceuticals division achieved its best result ever and diagnostics showed a solid performance leading to record sales and operating profit on a group level.

"Profit from continuing businesses increased by 2 billion CHF or over 40 per cent. Net income reached 6.7 billion CHF nearly compensating last year's income of 2.3 billion CHF from the divested consumer health business."

Sales of anti-cancer drugs, including Avastin and Tarceva, rose 42 per cent to 11 billion CHF and the year saw positive results from Phase III clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis and breast, lung and pancreatic cancers treatments.

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