For the sixth consecutive year, Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) has been recognised by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) as the Group Leader in sustainability within the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences Industry. This places Roche amongst the top 10 percent of companies across all surveyed industries. Inclusion in the DJSI is based on an in-depth analysis of economic, social and environmental performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, stakeholder engagement, risk management, supply chain standards and labour practices. The DJSI have become the key reference for investors who integrate sustainability considerations into their portfolios.
In this year's DJSI assessment, Roche received the highest scores in the industry in several areas. This included how Roche manages customer relationships, supply chain management, as well as how Roche helps address healthcare burden through the value of its products and services. Roche also scored the highest marks in nearly every area of employee engagement, including developing employees, respecting human rights and attracting and retaining good talents.
"It is very rewarding for us that Roche continues to be recognised as the most sustainable company within our peer group. Since the founding of Roche almost 120 years ago, sustainable, long-term thinking has guided our business practices," said Severin Schwan, CEO of Roche. "We remain committed to lasting innovation as our greatest contribution to society and a sustainable future for us all."
In 2009 Roche introduced a number of five-year Corporate goals along with Key Performance Indicators to measure progress. Among these, Roche introduced a diversity objective to increase the percentage of women in key positions by at least 50 percent, as well as an energy-efficiency goal of reducing energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency by 10 percent by the end of 2014. Roche already reached the diversity goal by the end of 2013, one year ahead of schedule, and the energy target at the end of 2102, two years ahead of schedule. The company is working on new Sustainability goals for inclusion into Roche’s next five year Corporate Goals. In addition, as access to healthcare is an issue in many parts of the world, Roche is actively working with governments, healthcare professionals, NGOs and other organisations with over 100 initiatives globally to improve access to our medicines and diagnostics.
For the twelfth consecutive year, Roche has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series, which measures the performance of companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards, and has consistently been recognised as one of the best places to work for around the world.
About the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI)
The Dow Jones Sustainability™ Indices are maintained collaboratively by S&P Dow Jones Indices and RobecoSAM. Following a best-in-class approach, the indices measure the performance of the world’s sustainability leaders. RobecoSAM invites over 3,300 publicly traded companies, including 800 companies in emerging markets, to participate. Companies are selected for the indices based on a comprehensive assessment of long-term economic, environmental and social criteria that account for general as well as industry-specific sustainability trends. Only firms that lead their industries based on this assessment are included in the indices. The indices are created and maintained according to a systematic methodology, allowing investors to appropriately benchmark sustainability-driven funds and derivatives over the long term. Based on the Global Industry Classification System (GICS), RobecoSAM annually identifies the top company in each of the 24 industry groups.
About Roche
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and neuroscience. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. Roche’s personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostics that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. Founded in 1896, Roche has been making important contributions to global health for more than a century. Twenty-four medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organisation Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and chemotherapy.
In 2013 the Roche Group employed over 85,000 people worldwide, invested 8.7 billion Swiss francs in R&D and posted sales of 46.8 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.