Roche Holding AG (ROG.VX) Chairman Franz Humer said Thursday that he was delighted to have reached a friendly deal to take over Genentech Inc. (DNA), because this will eliminate uncertainties for shareholders and employees and speed up the integration process.

Roche said earlier Thursday it has reached a friendly deal with Genentech Inc. (DNA) to buy the 44% of the U.S. biotech company that it doesn't already own for around $46.8 billion.

Humer said he was confident that most, if not all, senior Genentech managers will stay with the combined company. He also expects Genentech's scientists and other staff to stay on.

Roche has the financing of the deal in place, he said, after the Basel-based drugmaker raised nearly $40 billion in bond markets in recent weeks.

Company Web Site: http://www.roche.com

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