- Annual General Meeting on 17 March 2020 will take place as planned under conditions set by the authorities in Switzerland
- Roche strongly advises against physical participation and recommends electronic voting via the independent proxy
- Despite health measures participation will be at attendees’ own risk
Basel, 14 March 2020 – Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that, even under the new federal guidelines on the COVID-19 situation (coronavirus), the Annual General Meeting will continue to take place on 17 March in accordance with an exemption provided for by the cantonal authorities Basel-Stadt.
Roche will comply with all federal and cantonal health protection requirements.
However, Roche continues to strongly advise all shareholders against physical attendance at the Annual General Meeting, particularly people whose age or pre-existing condition may make them more susceptible, as part of preventive healthcare measures. Irrespective of health precautions taken, shareholders attending the meeting do so at their own risk.
Instead of attending the meeting physically, Roche once again recommends that shareholders use electronic remote voting and make use of the option to vote by proxy. This can be done using the login details provided to shareholders who have previously registered for the meeting.
Further information on conditions of participation and health measures for the Annual General Meeting can be found at https://www.roche.com/about/governance/annual_general_meetings.htm
About Roche
Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.
Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.
Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the eleventh consecutive year, Roche has been recognised as one of the most sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).
The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2019 employed about 98,000 people worldwide. In 2019, Roche invested CHF 11.7 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 61.5 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.
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