Roche Diagnostics invests in Penzberg facility

Roche Diagnostics is investing 215 million Swiss francs (108 million pounds) in research, development and production at its Penzberg site, near Munich, it has announced.

The company explains the funds will be used to create a multi-purpose structure which will house laboratories and production facilities for the Roche Applied Science and Roche Professional Diagnostics business areas.

Products ranging from biotech constituents for immunodiagnostics and the life science industry through the complete test kits, which are used globally in diagnostic systems, will be made at the complex from around the middle of 2010.

Jurgen Scwiezer, chief executive officer of Roche’s diagnostics division, states: "The investment marks an important step in enhancing our leading position in the immunodiagnostics segment."

Due to be called the Diagnostics Operations Complex, the new building will have a total floor area of 30,400 sq m and be able to accommodate around 120 people.

Roche recently announced the resignation of Rolf Schlapfer, head of corporate communications at the firm.