In fiscal year 2025, Roche invested around 719 million euros in Germany, reaching a historic high. Total sales rose by 4.7 percent to approximately 8.9 billion euros. The company thus reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Germany as a location and contributed to the federal government's high-tech agenda and future pharmaceutical and medical technology strategy.
The Pharmaceuticals division recorded growth of 6.3 percent to 2.2 billion euros. The drivers were innovative therapies such as Vabysmo, Ocrevus, Evrysdi, and Polivy, which reflect high demand in an aging society. The Diagnostics division developed stably, reaching around 909 million euros (minus 1 percent). Declines in the blood glucose test strip and self-monitoring of blood coagulation business due to technological changes were largely offset by solid growth in the core business.
Group deliveries from German sites to the global Roche network increased by 5 percent to 5.8 billion euros. This underscores the strategic importance of Germany as a technology and production hub, it was stated. At the end of 2025, Roche employed 18,594 people in Germany (plus 338), including 643 apprentices. According to Prognos AG, around 56,000 jobs depend directly or indirectly on Roche.
One example of the investments is the Diagnostics Innovation Center in Penzberg, opened on February 12, 2026, with a volume of 300 million euros. Through intelligent networking, fully automated processes, and modern robotics, the development time for key steps in test development was reduced by 30 percent. Daniela Kahlert, Managing Director of Roche Diagnostics Germany, emphasized the role of early diagnostics as key to effective therapies – for example, in cancer or neurodegenerative diseases – and thus also for greater efficiency in the healthcare system.
Dr. Claudia Fleischer, Managing Director of Roche Diagnostics GmbH, explained that Roche had fulfilled its investment promise even under difficult conditions. Since 2020, almost 3.8 billion euros have been invested and over 1,800 new jobs created. The investments are long-term and focus on technology, sites, and qualified employees. However, bureaucracy, over-regulation, and slow approval processes are causing massive additional costs and weakening international competitiveness.
Dr. Daniel Steiners, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Roche Pharma AG, highlighted the strategic importance of the industrial healthcare sector. He stated that the industry is a driver of growth, creates high-quality jobs, and stabilizes social security systems. In light of volatile global environments, it is also gaining importance for national security and technological sovereignty. Reforms in the USA – such as those concerning the FDA and the strengthening of domestic production – could also have consequences for Germany. Steiners called for planning security, accelerated approval processes, consistent digitalization, innovation-friendly market access conditions, and adequate remuneration for innovations.
Roche remains one of the largest employers and investors in the German life sciences sector.
