Roche to invest 800 million Swiss francs in biologic medicine manufacturing

Biotech company Roche plans to invest 800 million Swiss francs within its global manufacturing network to increase production capabilities for its biologic medicines over the next five years.

Biologic medicines are large molecules that are created by biological processes, rather than being chemically synthesised, and are typically administered via injection or intravenously. The investment will support increasing demand for licensed biologic medicines such as RoACTEMRA (tocilizumab), Kadcyla (trastuzumab emtansine) and Perjeta (pertuzumab), and provide a strong foundation for the delivery of 39 investigational biologic medicines in the Roche pipeline.

Daniel O’Day, Chief Operating Officer of Roche’s Pharmaceuticals Division, claims biologic medicines are “an essential part of modern medicine”.

“Roche is committed to making the necessary investments to ensure ongoing supply of these medicines at the highest-quality standards,” he said. “Increasing our manufacturing capacity also highlights the confidence we have in the research and development of a range of new biologic medicines that will help serve unmet medical needs.”

The investment will be spread across sites in Penzberg (Germany), Basel (Switzerland), Vacaville and Oceanside (USA). Biologic manufacturing capacity will be increased at Vacaville and Oceanside, with a planned investment of approximately 260 million Swiss francs creating around 250 new jobs. In Penzberg, Roche will invest approximately 350 million Swiss francs toward increased manufacturing capacity and equipment refurbishment, creating around 200 positions.

Construction of an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) production facility will begin in Basel through an investment of over 190 million Swiss francs, which is expected to create 50 jobs. This investment will provide additional capacity and flexibility to support Roche’s first approved ADC, Kadcyla and a further eight ADCs in clinical development.

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