Roche Reviews 2020 Financial Results

Roche's Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics divisions delivered group sales of CHF 58.3 billion in 2020 through their year-round efforts.

Roche, one of the world's leading biotechnology companies and a pioneer in personalized diagnosis and treatment, announced its 2020 financial results at a conference held digitally in Basel, Switzerland. The company carried forward its financial success from previous years into 2020 performance, with group sales growing 1% to reach CHF 58.3 billion. Pharmaceuticals division sales declined 2% to CHF 44.5 billion, impacted by stronger-than-expected biosimilar competition and the COVID-19 pandemic. Diagnostics division sales rose 14% to CHF 13.7 billion. This growth in the Diagnostics division was driven by Roche's new COVID-19 test portfolio. In 2020, the company achieved a record by advancing 19 new molecular entities through Phase III trials and approvals, while increasing its R&D investments by 8%. The company invested CHF 12.2 billion in R&D.

"We will continue to grow with our renewed portfolio"

Commenting on the group's 2020 results, Roche Group CEO Severin Schwan said, "Roche continues to make significant contributions to the fight against COVID-19. We mobilized quickly in response to COVID-19's emergence and developed a comprehensive diagnostics solutions portfolio in record time. At the same time, we established new partnerships to develop and manufacture effective COVID-19 medicines. There is strong demand for our new treatments that benefit people living with serious diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, hemophilia, and spinal muscular atrophy. Based on our renewed portfolio and significant progress made in expanding our product range, I can say that Roche is in a strong position for future growth."  

Roche to maintain front-line position in COVID-19 response

Roche moved swiftly on diagnostic solutions, which play a critical role in combating COVID-19, and made 15 different solutions available to patients for laboratory and point-of-care use during the pandemic. Beyond the diagnostic solutions it provided, Roche increased its manufacturing capacity at an unprecedented pace to develop treatments. It committed funds exceeding CHF 800 million to further expand existing supply chain capacity. It developed a series of new partnerships with Regeneron, Gilead, Atea, and Moderna to develop, manufacture, and/or distribute molecules that can both treat and prevent COVID-19.  

Roche enriched its product portfolio with new therapies in 2020

Despite unexpected pandemic conditions, Roche's commitment to developing new treatment options remained unchanged in 2020. Positive research results and approvals form the foundation for Roche's future growth. Indeed, through its innovative approach, Roche advanced 9 new molecular entities into clinical development phase in 2020. By the end of 2020, Roche had 19 new molecular entities in advanced clinical development stages and four new therapies on the market.  

2021 outlook

Despite the ongoing strong impact of biosimilars, Roche expects low to mid-single-digit sales growth in constant currency terms in 2021 and aims to increase earnings per share in constant currency in line with sales growth. The company also expects to deliver higher dividend growth in Swiss Francs this year.