Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche AG (ROG.VX) is facing a tough year, the company's Chief Financial Officer Erich Hunziker said in a conference call Wednesday, detailing Roche's 2008 figures.

"But even in difficult times we fully invest in the future. We remain committed to innovation," Hunziker said.

Earlier Wednesday, Roche reported an 8% drop in net profit and slightly lower sales, as the strong Swiss franc and a sharp drop in revenue from flu drug Tamiflu offset the boost from briskly selling cancer drugs.

Company Web site: www.roche.com

-By Julia Mengewein, Dow Jones Newswires; +41 43 443 80 45, julia.mengewein@dowjones.com

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