Roche tops forecast as new cancer drugs gain momentum

Roche tops forecast as new cancer drugs gain momentum

By Caroline Copley BASEL, Switzerland (Reuters) - Swiss pharmaceuticals firm Roche beat first-half profit forecasts as strong sales of its mainstay cancer drugs and some new treatments supported its view that it can withstand competition from cheap, copycat drugmakers. The results also stoked speculation the group might hike its dividend, buy back shares and make more acquisitions as it looks to diversify from its core expertise in cancer. ...