Like so many other pharmaceutical industry giants [1], Roche has announced plans to increase its stake in biotech, pledging to invest $430 million Swiss francs ($387 million) in three sites in Switzerland and Germany. Around 280 million francs will be invested in expanding biotech R&D efforts at Roche's Penzberg, Germany site, specifically in the area of oncology. An additional 150 million francs will be invested at Mannheim and Kaiseraugst in expanding modern syringe filling capacities for drugs such as Mircera [2], Pegasys or Actemra [3].
"With our biopharmaceuticals heavily in demand, this step will both safeguard and expand production. Investments like this are very much long term in nature and they create hundreds of jobs in and around the company. It is therefore essential that a stable, industry-friendly environment be maintained in the long term," said CEO Franz Humer in a statement.
- see this release [4] for more
ALSO: Take a look at Roche's pipeline. Report [5]
Related Articles:
Big Pharma makes its big leap into biotech. Report [6]
Pharma goes mad for biotech deals. Report [1]
Roche to boost R&D spend, reorganize research. Report [7]
Roche shakes up R&D, eyes new buyouts. Report [8]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercepharma.com/story/pharma-goes-mad-biotech-deals/2007-12-21
[2] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/special-reports/mircera-2007-fda-approvals
[3] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/roche-seeks-fda-approval-ra-drug-actemra/2007-11-21
[4] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/press-releases/roche-invests-430-million-swiss-francs-sites-germany-and-switzerland-centres
[5] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/special-reports/5-roche-top-15-r-d-budgets
[6] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/big-pharma-makes-its-big-leap-biotech/2007-12-21
[7] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/roche-to-boost-rd-spend-reorganize-research/2007-02-05
[8] http://www.fiercebiotech.com/story/roche-shakes-up-rd-eyes-new-buyouts/2007-02-07