Release issued 1st June 2005

SWITZERLAND, 31st May 2005 - HELSINN HEALTHCARE SA, a Swiss pharmaceutical group, and ROCHE today announced the signing of a licensing agreement, granting HELSINN HEALTHCARE the worldwide rights for the patented, phase II product, NETUPITANT.

Netupitant is a potent and selective NK-1 receptor antagonist, developed as NKE by Roche, for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

"We are delighted to strengthen our long lasting partnership with Roche and enter into this new agreement for Netupitant." said Enrico Braglia, Managing Director of HELSINN HEALTHCARE SA, "Our successful collaboration with Roche in the anti-emetic arena started in 1998 with the licensing of Palonosetron (Aloxi(R), a strong and long acting 5-HT3 receptor antagonist for the prevention of CINV and PONV (post operative nausea and vomiting). The new acquisition of Netupitant is an excellent opportunity to boost our Aloxi(R); franchise. Helsinn intends to complete the development of Netupitant in order to bring to the physicians and their patients a novel and effective emesis treatment".

"Helsinn has significant experience in developing emesis products for oncology patients. Roche is pleased to continue our relationship with Helsinn through their further development of Netupitant," said Peter Hug, Roche's Head of Pharma Partnering.

About NK-1 receptor antagonists

NK-1 receptor antagonists are antiemetics that work by blocking the action of neurokinin-1 (Substance P), a natural substance in the brain that causes emesis. In the clinic, it has been demonstrated that NK-1 receptor antagonists, administered in conjunction with a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, are significantly more effective in the control of both acute and delayed nausea and vomiting compared with 5-HT3 receptor antagonists alone.

About HELSINN HEALTHCARE

HELSINN HEALTHCARE SA is a privately owned pharmaceutical group with headquarters in Switzerland. HELSINN's core business is the licensing of pharmaceuticals in niche therapeutic areas. The company's business strategy is to in-license early-stage new chemical entities and complete their development from the performance of pre- clinical/clinical studies and CMC development to the attainment of market approvals in strategic markets (U.S. and Europe). HELSINN's products are eventually out-licensed to its marketing partners for distribution. The active pharmaceutical ingredients and the finished dosage forms are manufactured at HELSINN's cGMP facilities and supplied worldwide to its customers. For more information about HELSINN, please visit www.helsinn.com.

Contact person HELSINN:

Alex Bossi, Director BD & Licensing-in (+41) 91-985-21-21. info-hhc@helsinn.com

(14th July 2005) ALOXI(R) AT THE MASCC 2005 CONGRESS

(13th July 2005) HELSINN'S STRONG PRESENCE AT THE EULAR 2005 WITH ORIGINAL NIMESULIDE AND OXAPROZIN

(22nd June 2005) HELSINN AND ANGELINI ANNOUNCE A LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR ALOXI(R) IN PORTUGAL

(13th June 2005) EXELIXIS AND HELSINN SIGN AGREEMENT FOR XL119 (Becatecarin)

(30th May 2005) HELSINN'S ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 CERTIFICATION