[Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR] Roche reports strong 2024 results with 7% sales growth; fourth quarter marks third straight quarter of 9% growth

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F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

Basel, 30 January 2025

  • Group sales grew by 7%1 at constant exchange rates (CER; 3% in CHF), driven by strong demand for both medicines and diagnostics.

  • Excluding COVID-19, Group sales increased by 9%. COVID-19 will not adversely impact our results from 2025 onwards.

  • The fourth quarter was the third consecutive quarter of 9% sales growth, highlighting the very positive momentum.

  • Pharmaceuticals Division sales rose by 8% (excluding COVID-19 medicine: 9%) on growing demand for newer medicines; top growth drivers were Vabysmo (severe eye diseases), Phesgo (breast cancer), Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis) and Hemlibra (haemophilia A).

  • Diagnostics Division sales increased by 4%, reflecting the base effect of the sales of COVID-19 tests in the prior-year period; strong momentum in the Diagnostics Division’s base business continued with an increase of 8% due to higher demand for immunodiagnostic, pathology and molecular solutions.

  • Core operating profit grew by 14% (8% in CHF), driven by higher sales, improved gross margin and effective cost management; core earnings per share rose by 7% (1% in CHF).

  • Core earnings per share excluding the impact of the resolution of tax disputes in 2023 rose by 12%, exceeding the guidance for 2024.

  • IFRS net income decreased by 19% (26% in CHF), mainly due to impairment charges to goodwill related to Flatiron Health and Spark Therapeutics.

  • Operating free cash flow increased by 34% (CER) to CHF 20.1 billion.

  • Highlights:

    • Launch of cobas Mass Spec, a transformative innovation in mass spectrometry

    • EU approval for Vabysmo prefilled syringe

    • US acceptance of supplemental Biologics License Application for Columvi combination

    • Positive data on blood cancer medicines Columvi, Lunsumio and Polivy, eye medicine Vabysmo, Duchenne muscular dystrophy medicine Elevidys and breast cancer therapy Itovebi

    • Acquisition of Poseida Therapeutics for a range of potentially first- and best-in-class cell therapies across oncology, immunology and neurology

    • CE mark for new and updated molecular cobas 6800/8800 systems for enhanced laboratory efficiency and testing capabilities

  • Board proposes dividend increase to CHF 9.70. If approved by shareholders, this would be the 38th consecutive dividend increase.

Outlook for 2025
Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) expects an increase in Group sales in the mid single digit range (CER). Core earnings per share are targeted to develop in the high single digit range (CER). Roche expects to further increase its dividend in Swiss francs.

Key figures

CHF millions

% change

JanuaryDecember

2024

2023

At CER1

In CHF

Group sales

60,495

58,716

7

3

Pharmaceuticals Division

46,171

44,265

8

4

Diagnostics Division

14,324

14,451

4

-1

Core operating profit

20,823

19,240

14

8

Core EPS – diluted (CHF)

18.80

18.57

7

1

IFRS net income

9,187

12,358

-19

-26

Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker: “2024 was a strong year for Roche. In the fourth quarter, we continued our very positive momentum for the third consecutive quarter with Group sales growth of 9% (CER). Core earnings per share exceeded the guidance raised at half year.