Roche inaugurates biotech production facility

Roche has announced the opening of an advanced biotechnology production site in Basel, Switzerland following two years of construction work. The company states that the choice of location for the production centre highlights its commitment to the local area.

The facility will employ over 170 staff and be used to manufacture Avastin (bevacizumab) – a breakthrough oncology treatment indicated for use in four types of cancer that uses a novel mode of action to increase overall or progression-free survival in patients.

Roche reports that the site is currently being prepared for approval by the relevant regulatory bodies, with the first shipment of Avastin from the centre planned for 2009. Until this date, Roche will continue to use Genentech’s manufacturing centres to produce the compound.

Matthias M Baltisberger, head of the Basel site, said: “After completing construction in just two years, we can now begin preparing for regulatory approval and launch of commercial production of Avastin from this site.”

He added that the centre is part of a larger development plan that will eventually result in the integration of all production work on the northern sector of the facility.

In February 2007, Roche announced the results of a phase III clinical study of Avastin, with the compound attaining its primary endpoint of enhancing progression-free survival in previously untreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients.