As a research-intensive company whose products are sold in over 150 countries, Roche's combined capabilities in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics is a major strength which it intends to capitalise on; Roche believes that it is ideally placed to capture value from the anticipated paradigm shift in healthcare which will link diagnosis, prevention and treatment more closely. To this end, its major divestments over the last few years, most notably the sale of the Consumer Health business in 2004 and the Vitamins and Fine Chemicals Division in 2003, have been aimed at focusing the company's energies on the two divisions of Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics. With this focus, the company can offer to meet needs across the entire healthcare spectrum, involving: screening and early detection, prevention, diagnosis, therapy and treatment monitoring. In addition, Roche is able to capitalise on broad synergies in research, development and marketing between pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. In recent years, Roche has launched major strategic initiatives such as the Integrated Cancer Care Unit and the Roche Biomarker Program to leverage discovery synergies between the Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics Divisions.

According to Roche, it has become a market leader in oncology, transplantation and virology, and the world leader in in vitro diagnostics. It aims to retain these positions while it pursues industry leadership in the emerging field of personalised healthcare. Advances in areas such as genetic profiling are increasing the effectiveness of preventative therapies and targeted medicines, which have clear economic and clinical benefits. Roche is well placed to build on research and development in this area.

As a result of Roche's early involvement and major investments in biotechnology, biologics currently account for approximately half of Roche's revenues. The Roche Group owns a significant proportion of the world's biotechnology manufacturing capacity and is now the leading producer of therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies.