For the seventh consecutive year, Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) has been recognised as the Group Leader in sustainability within the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences Industry. "We are very proud of this recognition," said Roche CEO Severin Schwan. "As an innovator in healthcare, we consider sustainability as both a responsibility and a value driver. The three elements of sustainability - societal, environmental and economic - are completely integrated into our business practices and the cornerstone of how Roche does its business."
Through a multifaceted sustainability strategy, spanning corporate governance, operations, and stakeholder collaboration, Roche has maintained its leadership position in the pharmaceuticals industry. Roche performed particularly well across several categories, including code of conduct and compliance, risk and crisis management, supply chain management, environmental policy and management, talent attraction and retention.
With more than 100 new partnerships across academia, research institutions, venture firms and biotech companies established last year, DJSI noted in particular Roche’s strong culture of collaboration, broad approach to innovation, and commitment to furthering access to healthcare. Initiatives included early detection and treatment programmes in Africa, South America, and Asia, and working with the Transnet foundation in South Africa to deliver local healthcare solutions to remote communities. Additionally, DJSI commended Roche’s commitment to people, with leadership and development programmes encouraging diversity, professional and personal development. A pillar of our culture, Roche is committed to sustainability as an integral part of the way we do business now and in the future.
About RobecoSAM and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI)
Founded in 1995, RobecoSAM is an investment specialist focused exclusively on Sustainability Investing. It offers asset management, indices, engagement, voting, impact analysis, sustainability assessments, and benchmarking services. Together with S&P Dow Jones Indices, RobecoSAM publishes the globally recognised Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI). Following a best-in-class approach, the indices measure the performance of the world's sustainability leaders. RobecoSAM invites over 3,400 publicly traded companies 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-nine medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and chemotherapy.
In 2014, the Roche Group employed 88,500 people worldwide, invested 8.9 billion Swiss francs in R&D and posted sales of 47.5 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.