Roche – “Tread Carefully”

Pros

Long-term company strategy is on the mark towards personalized medicine. The company has deep pockets. The fact that the company is semi-privately held really allows Roche to focus on long-term results. Roche is in this business for the long-haul, not to appease Wall Street analyst's quarterly expectations.

Cons

The fact that they completely bungled getting Mircera to market, and now Actemra is significantly delayed. The entire biotech/pharma industry is in for a change with the new presidential administration and congress. Much uncertainty around the impending Genentech acquisition. Even though Roche is buying Genentech, it certainly feels like the new organization is going to be more like Genentech than Roche. (Wanting to preserve Genentech culture....moving commercial operations from NJ to Sout San Francisco).

Advice to Senior Management

It was Senior Management that should be held responsible for the mis-steps with Mircera and Actemra. Take some accountability and candidly acknowledge that you missed the mark.