Kaiseraugst: Roche inaugurates IT innovation centre

"Bringing all IT functions together under one roof is intended to promote exchange and collaboration among employees and stimulate innovation. In this way, Roche is underlining the importance of IT for the development of new medicines and diagnostics," the company writes in a media release. Three new buildings with modern IT infrastructure will be occupied. Roche invested 290 million CHF in the new IT innovation center alone.

New production building for another 200 million

At the center of further site development, a production building for the rapid market launch of new medicines is being built alongside the global IT innovation center. It will complement the existing production and logistics facilities at the Kaiseraugst site. Called LSL (Late Stage & Launch Facility for Small Molecules), this production building will cost CHF 200 million and will be completed by the end of 2019. Further investments also include a reception and auditorium building with adjoining visitor center for 85 million, a training center and school laboratory for 86 million, new service facilities for employees (e.g. a fitness center and café-bar), and the expansion of the general site and parking infrastructure for a total of 300 million.

Number of employees at the site to rise to 3,000

Since 2000, the number of employees at Kaiseraugst has grown from 1,400 to 2,300. In the future, around 3,000 Roche employees are expected to work there. Jürg Erismann, Head of the Basel/Kaiseraugst site, explains: "Together with Basel, Kaiseraugst forms a central innovation cluster within the company." When redesigning the site, he says Roche placed great emphasis on sustainability. All buildings meet the latest energy standards. In addition, one of the largest solar installations in Switzerland is integrated into the façade of the new parking garage.