The pharmaceutical giant's diagnostics division saw third-quarter sales jump by almost a fifth to 4 billion dollars.

That was despite a strong Swiss franc sapping the firm's revenue in overseas markets.

The company says it's seen a rise in demand for antigen tests priced at 5-6 dollars.

That as the more accurate PCR tests remain in short supply.

The gain from tests helped offset a 4% slide in sales at Roche's drugs division - usually the firm's big earner.

Among the negatives was a drop in the number of Chinese people seeking hospital treatment amid lockdowns.

Overall the numbers were good enough to mean the firm is sticking to its targets for 2020.

Investors though seemed focused on the negatives.

On a down day for markets Thursday (October 15), Roche shares were off more than 3 percent by lunchtime.