Net profit at Roche Holding rose 34% to 9.17 billion Swiss francs ($7.33 billion) in 2006 due to strong sales of cancer treatments Herceptin and Avastin, just ahead of analysts' expectations.
"In both the pharmaceuticals division and the diagnostics division, Roche anticipates continued above market sales growth in local currencies," the company said in a statement on Wednesday.
Net income had been expected at 9.11 billion francs, according to the average of a Reuters poll of 15 analysts.