Yesterday German chancellor Angela Merkel and Bavarian prime minister Horst Seehofer visited Roche in Penzberg. Penzberg is located 70 km South of Munich, which is the countries’ biotech hot spot. With more than 14,000 employees at sites in Penzberg, Mannheim and Grenzach-Whylen, Roche is one of the largest employers of Gemany’s health care industry. Over the last 15 years, Roche has invested EUR 4.2 million in its German sites and has created more than 3,000 new, highly qualified jobs. According to Roche, each new job at Roche creates 3,5 further workplaces, e.g. at suppliers or service providers.
Chancellor Merkel found out about the company and its research activities, for example for the development of new cancer therapies. She said she was impressed by Roche’s innovative power and was especially interested in the perspectives of young employees and trainees.