Penzberg, Germany, January 13, 2025. Every year, several billion diagnostic tests are carried out around the world using Roche systems. The healthcare company produces 80 percent of all diagnostic ingredients required for these tests at its Life Science Competence Center in Penzberg, Upper Bavaria. By investing more than 600 million euros in a new diagnostics production center built to the latest standards, Roche is making a major contribution to meeting the growing demand for diagnostic solutions in Germany, other European countries. The consulting company Drees & Sommer SE, which specializes in construction and real estate, has been entrusted by Roche with the provision of project support and management services. The foundation stone for the 23,500 square meter production center for diagnostics was laid in an official ceremony at the end of November 2024.
A number of project participants and guests jointly celebrated the key milestone for the production site in Upper Bavaria, among which were Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder, Penzberg’s First Mayor Stefan Korpan, Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker, the Management team of Roche in Germany, Site Manager Paul Wiggermann, Roche’s Construction Project Manager Ludger Dierkes, and Drees & Sommer’s Head of Project Stefan Schweitzer.
The new building represents a significant investment in the future, with a major impact on the entire value chain of Roche diagnostics. In 2023, around 29 billion diagnostic tests using Roche analysis systems were delivered to customers worldwide. These include antibodies, enzymes and nucleotides. Around 80 percent of the diagnostic ingredients required for this come from the Roche Campus in Penzberg. This includes a total of around 1,900 different ingredients. The new Roche production center will manufacture around 450 different ingredients for a variety of diagnostic tests, which will enable rapid and reliable diagnosis in infectiology, neurology, cardiology, oncology and diabetes.
“Roche in Penzberg is a key location for global healthcare and a center for innovation in diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. With over 50 years of experience in chemistry and biotechnology, the Roche campus has evolved into one of the largest biotechnology centers in Europe. An impressive 80 percent of the diagnostic ingredients required for this come from Penzberg, clear testimony to the company's outstanding expertise and importance as a global center of excellence,“ comments Site Manager Paul Wiggermann.
Effective Project Management and Flexibility as Key to Success
Roche is being supported by Stefan Schweitzer, Associate Partner at Drees & Sommer, in realizing the new building project as quickly as possible. Together with his team, he provides project management services, such as contract award process support; cost, time schedule and quality controls; and risk and change management services. Stefan Schweitzer explains: ”In a complex new build of this type, effective cost management ensures that the project remains within the defined financial framework and potential financial risks are reduced. This requires constant monitoring and adjustment of cost planning as well as close cooperation with all project participants. The building must also be constructed flexibly enough to allow for later alterations or extensions without significantly affecting operations.”
Starting from 2028, around 200 Roche employees in diagnostics production will work in the new building. So far, they have been working in different buildings spread across the campus. Closer collaboration in one building will further improve dialog and cooperation.