Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world’s largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. Roche is a pioneer in personalized healthcare and wants to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person, the company partners with many stakeholders and combines its strengths in diagnostics and pharma with data insights from clinical practice.
Roche believes that a collaborative, trust-based relationship between the government and industry is essential to accelerate the adoption of high-value, patient-centered innovations. As Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Administration work to advance drug pricing reform and sustainability, Roche Taiwan is fully aligned and ready to co-create solutions through transparent dialogue, shared accountability, and mutual respect.
In addition to building strong public-private partnerships, Roche Taiwan closely collaborates with patient organizations and healthcare professionals, tailoring its support to improve well-being and empower individuals throughout their healthcare journey. The company is proud to positively impact nearly 20,000 patients and families with its innovative medicines and extensive support.
With a core philosophy that centers on the patient, the company understands that illness impacts lives beyond the physical, which is why it invests in comprehensive patient support programs offering education, personalized guidance, and vital resources. This commitment, rooted in a century-long tradition of philanthropy, is exemplified by the Roche Children’s Walk, a global employee-driven initiative that has empowered communities for over two decades. Locally, the company actively supports the Ark Classroom program of the South-Link Medical Foundation, which focuses on creating brighter futures for vulnerable children in Taiwan.
Beyond community engagement, Roche recognizes climate change as one of the largest global risks and is committed to addressing it as a matter of urgency. It is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2045 and has set near- and long-term targets aligned with the international Science Based Targets initiative. This commitment is evident in Roche Taiwan’s smart green building, featuring energy-efficient systems and low-carbon materials, and the significant decarbonization of its corporate fleet. The company also actively engages its employees and families in environmental education and community clean-up initiatives, fostering a culture of everyday sustainability and environmental awareness that encourages healthier lifestyles, while reinforcing the link between environmental action and holistic health.
Partner for innovation in Taiwan’s healthcare
Since taking root in 1967, Roche Taiwan has been a steadfast partner in the nation’s health journey, continuously developing a diverse pharmaceutical portfolio that addresses significant health challenges within neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, cardiometabolic diseases, and immunology.
Investing in the research and development of innovative drugs in these core areas is crucial to tackling critical and emerging needs. While Taiwan’s spending on innovative drugs still lags behind that of other advanced economies, the company sees a unique opportunity for the healthcare system to evolve, from ensuring accessibility to becoming a global benchmark for innovation adoption.
Roche Taiwan recognizes that in order to bring more advanced treatment options to Taiwanese patients and improve their quality of life, prioritizing personalized medicine is essential, particularly in cancer care. The company has been a leader in breaking new ground, being the first to provide 2,000 comprehensive genomic tests with matched therapies.
This invaluable real-world experience has been foundational in shaping the Taiwan government’s National Health Insurance reimbursement policies for next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing, marking a significant step toward more tailored and effective cancer treatments for Taiwanese patients.
Furthermore, recognizing the increasing importance of vision care, Roche is making significant strides in ophthalmology through the development of innovative, new-generation bispecific antibodies targeting age-related vision impairment.
Clinical trials are central to Roche Taiwan’s progress, fueling local medical innovation. The company conducts about 80 novel drug trials each year, actively advancing Taiwan’s medical frontiers. Its strong collaborations with medical partners have led to nearly 40 investigator-initiated research and real-world data projects in the past five years, with investments totaling more than NT$100 million. This high level of engagement has yielded 33 impactful international publications, often utilizing Taiwan’s key national databases.
However, the most valuable assets in actualizing Roche Taiwan’s success are its employees. By embracing innovative ways of working, including creating location-agnostic roles that expand impact and learning experiences, the company has fostered an environment where employees can learn, grow, and thrive. Roche’s extensive employee support, bolstered by various employee-led initiatives, enhances well-being, giving staff the comfort and tools they need to build a more dynamic, resilient, and innovation-ready healthcare ecosystem – one that not only meets today’s patient needs but also shapes a healthier future for all of Taiwan.
