Roche is investing 215 million in the Rotkreuz site and is building an innovative production building

2024-10-29

Today, Roche is laying the foundation stone for the construction of an innovative and sustainable production facility.
Roche is investing 215 million Swiss francs in the Rotkreuz diagnostics site.
The new construction underlines the importance of the Rotkreuz site and Switzerland for Roche.

Rotkreuz, 29 October 2024 - Today, Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) is laying the foundation stone for a new diagnostics production building (Building 15) in Rotkreuz. The investment volume amounts to 215 million Swiss francs. The state-of-the-art production facility covers an area of approximately 29,000 square metres and is planned to be completed by 2027. Roche relies on sustainable construction methods that promote resource conservation and biodiversity. The flexibility of the building makes it possible to adapt the working environment and the processes to future products and demands. This scalability makes the construction efficient to use in the long term.

"We are proud that here in Rotkreuz we will make a further important contribution to the health care system in Switzerland and worldwide by providing answers to health questions from patients with our diagnostic solutions. This innovative and sustainable production facility will play a key role in this", said Andreas Klopp, General Manager Roche Diagnostics International AG in Rotkreuz.

The construction project replaces an old production building that has reached the end of its life in service after around three decades. The development and introduction of new tests and systems for the rapid and reliable diagnosis of diseases requires additional space at the Rotkreuz site, which can no longer be provided by the existing infrastructure in the future. The production area will therefore be expanded and production efficiency increased. Roche is thus sending out a clear sign of the importance of the Rotkreuz production site and underlines its clear commitment to Switzerland.

Sustainable in many respects
Sustainability and energy efficiency are top priorities for Roche, including in this construction project. These include resource-conserving construction methods, a fossil-free energy supply, water circulation systems and efficient use of light and space. Biodiversity is also the focus. For example, plans are to create a natural environment with wetland meadows rich in species and flowers and a calcareous fen as well as a roof garden, which is to become a green oasis at an altitude of almost 23 metres. The construction project also relies on wood as the central building material.

About the Roche Rotkreuz site
Roche Diagnostics International AG develops, manufactures and markets diagnostic instruments, sensors and cartridges at the Rotkreuz site. Rotkreuz is one of the most important sites of the Roche Diagnostics Division and, with around 2,700 employees, the biggest private employer in the canton of Zug. Roche currently trains 161 apprentices in 10 professions at its Rotkreuz site.

During the COVID pandemic, the teams based in Rotkreuz played a vital role in the development of the first SARS-CoV-2 test for the fully automated laboratory system cobas®6800. Rotkreuz was also a key site for the production of these systems, which was expanded rapidly and efficiently to meet the increased demand for PCR tests worldwide.

About Roche
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche’s business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045.

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.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

References
[1] Roche Diagnostics International AG Factsheet
[2] Roche in Rotkreuz: www.roche.ch/en/sites/rotkreuz
[3] Photos via www.roche.ch/en/media-switzerland

Roche Group Media Relations
Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com

Hans Trees, PhD Telefon: +41 79 407 72 58	Sileia Urech Telefon: +41 79 935 81 48
Nathalie Altermatt Telefon: +41 79 771 05 25	Lorena Corfas Telefon: +41 79 568 24 95
Simon Goldsborough Telefon: +44 797 32 72 915	Karsten Kleine Telefon: +41 79 461 86 83
Nina Mählitz Telefon: +41 79 327 54 74	Kirti Pandey Telefon: +49 172 6367262
Yvette Petillon Telefon: +41 79 961 92 50	Dr. Rebekka Schnell Telefon: +41 79 205 27 03