Roche has ramped up inventory in the US: CEO

Roche has ramped up inventory in the US: CEO

Roche Holding has taken a significant step to bolster its presence in the US market by increasing inventory levels. This move comes on the heels of robust sales performance, particularly in key pharmaceutical products. The Swiss drugmaker reported sales of CHF 30.9 billion ($39 billion) in the first six months of 2025, representing a 7% increase at constant currency from the same period last year [1].

The pharmaceuticals division, which includes products such as the breast-cancer drug Phesgo, the Xolair treatment for food allergies, and the eye-disease drug Vabysmo, drove the first-half growth, contributing to a 10% increase in sales over the period [1]. In contrast, the diagnostics division saw no growth in sales, largely due to healthcare pricing reforms in China [1].

On the back of this growth, Roche has confirmed its previous view for sales growth in the mid single digits for the year as a whole and expects to raise its dividend [1]. The company's CEO, who has been emphasizing the need to expand operations, has stated that this inventory increase is part of a broader strategy to meet the growing demand for Roche's products in the US market.

In addition to the strong sales performance, Roche’s Flatiron Health division has also been making significant strides. Over the last year, Flatiron Health has tripled the size of its international oncology network across the UK, Germany, and Japan, expanding to include 30 institutions in Europe and Asia [2]. This expansion aims to provide real-world cancer data that is often lacking and to support improvements in local cancer patients' care and novel multinational research.

However, not all news is positive. Roche's investigational anti-IL-33 ST2 antibody, astegolimab, did not meet its primary endpoint in a phase 3 study for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While the drug demonstrated a numerical reduction in annualized exacerbation rates, the difference was not statistically significant [3]. Roche plans to present detailed data from both trials at an upcoming medical meeting and to discuss results with regulatory authorities.

Overall, Roche's strategic move to increase inventory in the US, coupled with its strong sales performance and ongoing expansion efforts, signals a robust approach to capturing market share in the US pharmaceutical sector. The company's focus on expanding its oncology network and addressing unmet medical needs in COPD further underscores its commitment to innovation and patient care.

References:
[1] Roche Holding backs 2025 views after strong sales of key drugs. (2025). Dow Jones Newswires.
[2] Roche’s Flatiron Health announces tripling cancer network size across UK, Germany and Japan. (2025). Fierce Biotech.
[3] Roche's investigational anti-IL-33 ST2 antibody for COPD misses phase 3 primary endpoint. (2025). Patient Care Online.