Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG (ROG.VX) said Monday its dividend policy remains unchanged, reiterating statements made a year ago that it plans to increase its dividend each year over the next three.

The comments follow a report in the Financial Times that the Basel-based drugmaker considers foregoing dividend payments this year to finance the planned takeover of the shares it doesn't already own in U.S. biotech company Genentech Inc. (DNA).

Roche spokesman Daniel Piller declined to comment on the FT report, which suggested that Roche plans to raise its bid for Genentech. Genentech has rejected the current offer as too low.

Company Web Site: www.roche.com

-By Anita Greil, Dow Jones Newswires; +41 43 443 8044 ; anita.greil@dowjones.com

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