Roche opens new Pharma Research and Early Development Center in Basel
Roche has opened a new Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED) Center at its headquarters in Basel. The facility marks a concrete step in the company’s effort to turn strong science into medicines that reach patients, reinforcing a commitment Roche has upheld for more than a century.
A hub for collaboration and faster discovery
Built with state-of-the-art technologies, the pRED Center brings roughly 1,000 laboratory and office spaces together. The layout is designed to help teams work side by side, shorten handoffs, and streamline decision-making so promising ideas can move more quickly through the research pipeline. It also reflects Roche’s intention to keep Switzerland a leading home for life sciences—something the company has relied on and helped shape for over 125 years.
What company leaders said
Severin Schwan, Chairman of the Roche Group, highlighted the CHF 1.2 billion investment as a signal of long-term intent. “This investment not only reinforces our ties to Switzerland but also enhances our capabilities to develop transformative solutions for healthcare needs globally,” he stated.
Thomas Schinecker, CEO of Roche Group, underscored the strategic role the site will play in R&D. “Our goal is to collaborate effectively with research facilities worldwide to boost the quality and speed of our R&D efforts. Our patients are at the heart of these initiatives, and we want to deliver impactful solutions as efficiently as possible,” he said.
Facilities built for modern research
The pRED Center consists of two laboratory buildings rising 114 meters and 72 meters. Inside are integrated digital tools and modern lab technologies, all arranged to foster daily interaction among chemistry, biology, and data science. Across 33 laboratory and office floors, the site includes 150 laboratories and is designed to host about 1,800 researchers—people working shoulder to shoulder to push discovery forward.
Commitment to sustainable development
The launch forms part of Roche’s broader investment in the Basel region—CHF 5.8 billion between 2009 and 2030—to upgrade sites and strengthen research. Sustainability remains a core thread in that plan. Roche is working toward net-zero emissions by 2045 and is building its operations to support both public health and the environment without compromising scientific progress.
About Roche
Founded in 1896, Roche is the world’s largest biotechnology company and a leader in in?vitro diagnostics. The company focuses on developing medicines and diagnostic solutions that improve and save lives, and it has been a pioneer in personalized healthcare—bringing together data, diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals to sharpen decisions in clinical practice and increase patient impact.
More than a century on, Roche’s purpose hasn’t shifted: advance science, improve outcomes, and do so responsibly. The aim is simple and steady—marry innovation with societal needs and keep patients at the center of the work.
Media inquiries: Roche Global Media Relations, +41 61 688 8888, media.relations@roche.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the pRED Center designed to do?
It brings researchers and technologies under one roof to accelerate discovery and development, turning work across chemistry, biology, and data science into potential medicines for patients.
How much did Roche invest in this facility?
Roche invested CHF 1.2 billion in the pRED Center. This sits within a broader plan to invest CHF 5.8 billion in the Basel region from 2009 to 2030.
Where is the center located?
At Roche’s global headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.
What technologies and capabilities are included?
The site combines modern laboratory infrastructure with integrated digital solutions and is designed for cross?disciplinary collaboration—linking chemistry, biology, and data science throughout 33 floors and 150 labs.
How is sustainability built into the plan?
Roche is targeting net?zero emissions by 2045 and is aligning investments and operations to reduce environmental impact while advancing research and patient care.
