Roche lays the foundation stone for its new research centre in Basel

• Roche celebrates the laying of the foundation stone for its state-of-the-art laboratory and office environment
• The new pRED Innovation Center, set to be completed by the end of 2023, will be the hub of Roche’s research activities in Basel
• The buildings meet the highest sustainability requirements

Today, Roche laid the foundation stone for its new research centre on Grenzacherstrasse in Basel. Over the coming years, a state-of-the-art laboratory and office environment for around 1,800 researchers will be built at the corporate headquarters. The new research centre, an integral part of the site's sustainable development strategy, will open its doors at the end of 2023.

“The focus in planning the new research centre is on creating an inspiring, innovation-driving work environment that fosters communication and collaboration among researchers and can respond flexibly to digitalisation and to the evolving needs of the research department,” says Jürg Erismann, Head of the Basel/Kaiseraugst Site.

The four new laboratory and office buildings of various heights (114 m, 72 m, 26 m and 18 m) are being built on the former site of Building 74. They will meet the highest sustainability requirements. Recycled concrete is used for the shell of the building. The buildings will be very energy-efficient. A solar power system to generate electricity will be installed on buildings 4 and 5. From spring 2020, the buildings will be visible above ground level.

Roche is investing a total of CHF 3 bn in the development of the Basel site, of which CHF 1.2 bn will be allocated to the new research centre. These investments are a clear commitment to Switzerland as a research and business location.

About Roche

Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.

Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.

Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the eleventh consecutive year, Roche has been recognised as one of the most sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2019 employed about 98,000 people worldwide. In 2019, Roche invested CHF 11.7 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 61.5 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.