Roche to invest $800m in manufacturing

Roche is to invest US $800 million in its global manufacturing facilities over the next five years. This move will create 500 new jobs at a time when other pharma companies have to cut costs and staff in response to slow sales growth.

The Swiss drugmaker currently employs approximately 80,000 people in 100 different countries around the world. Many of Roche's most promising drugs are biologics, which unline chemical drugs, are proteins or cells derived from living organisms that are hard to replicate. These drugs include rheumatoid arthritis treatment RoActemra and breast cancer drugs
Kadcyla and Perjeta.

"As the world's largest supplier of biologics, Roche is committed to making the necessary investments to ensure ongoing supply of these medicines at the highest quality standards."

Daniel O'Day, chief operating officer of Roche's Pharmaceuticals Division.

The new jobs will be created in biologics manufacturing facilities in Vacaville and Oceanside, California, which are run by Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

"This investment and expansion will result in the addition of more than 250 new jobs at the Vacaville and Oceanside facilities over the next four years, bringing the total number of Genentech manufacturing jobs in California to close to 3,000."

Ian Clark, Chief Executive Officer of Genentech.

When the expansion is complete, Genentech's Vacaville facility will not only be the largest producer of biologic medicines for the Roche Group but also the largest biotech manufacturing facility in the world.