History
Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. has grown from a small drug laboratory into one of the world's leading research-based healthcare companies active in more than 130 countries. Roche is involved in the discovery, development, and manufacture of pharmaceuticals and diagnostic systems, and is a producer of vitamins and carotenoids. It has research centers in Switzerland, Japan, the United States, and Germany.
The company's Pharmaceutical division engages in the research and development, manufacture and distribution of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, bronchopulmonary diseases, metabolic disorders, and in the fields of virology, oncology, hematology, dermatology, and neurology.
The Diagnostics division engages in developing and marketing tools for research in genomics and proteomics, test methods for viruses such as HIV and HCV, integrated laboratory workstations, and devices for patients' own use. Its products are delivered through its affiliates all over the world.
To read more about the history of Roche, download a brochure here.
Key dates
1896: F. Hoffmann-La Roche & Co. is founded in Basel, Switzerland.
1914: Roche goes global with offices in Milan, New York, St Petersburg and London.
1919: The company goes public.
1920: Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche dies and Emil C Barell assumes the role of president.
1928: Nutley, New Jersey, becomes the site of the company's U.S. headquarters; and company interests are transferred to Sapac, a Canadian holding company.
1938: Roche has 35 branches in all five continents with a staff complement of about 1800.
1952: Rimifon, the first effective treatment for tuberculosis, is introduced.
1960: The company introduces Librium, a benzodiazepine tranquilizer that relieves tension without causing apathy.
1963: The company introduces Valium.
1973: Roche launches Madopar, the first significant success in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
1986: The company releases Roferon-A, a treatment for rare forms of cancer.
1999: Roche inaugurates a new R&D facility in Basel.
2007: Roche focuses on Perosnalised Healthcare.
Related links
Downloads
Corporate brochure
Roche from A to Z
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