Roche Holding plans to sell 800-employee drug manufacturing plant in Vacaville
The company said it is seeking a buyer that will continue to use the plant as an operating facility.
Advertisement
New Delhi: Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG plans to sell its 800-employee drug manufacturing plant in Vacaville, California, or it will shut the factory by 2029, according to e-mailed letters to workers seen by a news agency on Wednesday.
Roche confirmed the divestiture plan in a statement, but did not address the potential closing of the plant or its timeline.
The company said it does not expect to need the very large volumes of the medicines the plant provides, and large-scale production will be done in one of the company's newer plants. It also plans to focus on drugs targeting smaller patient populations moving forward, it said in the emails to employees.
According to Roche, there will be no impact to operations or employees at this time.
Roche is under new leadership this year after CEO Thomas Schinecker took the helm and Theresa Graham became head of the pharmaceuticals division in March. It is contending with dipping revenue for its COVID-19 therapies and tests.
The company said it is seeking a buyer that will continue to use the plant as an operating facility.
If the company is unable to find a buyer, it will ramp down production and close the plant in 2028 to 2029, the emails said.
Roche acquired the plant more than a decade ago with its purchase of US biotech Genentech. The plant makes drugs for cancer including Avastin and Herceptin, as well as Actemra for rheumatoid arthritis.
During the pandemic, Roche collaborated with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals to increase supply of that drugmaker's COVID-19 antibody treatment. Roche manufactured the treatment at the Vacaville plant, which it sells outside the US under the brand name Ronapreve.
Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.
NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.