At Roche in Penzberg, the start signal has been given for the construction of the new diagnostics research building LEAP. The groundbreaking ceremony marks the official start of construction work. The building is to set new standards for the research and development of diagnostic tests.
In May 2020, Minister President Markus Söder and the then Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn visited Roche's biotechnology site in Penzberg for the presentation of a Roche corona antibody test. The Roche Group took this as an opportunity to announce the construction of a new diagnostics research building. Now the groundbreaking ceremony has taken place.
The six-story building called LEAP (Laboratory Excellence Accelerator Penzberg), in which Roche is investing up to 250 million euros, is being built in the south of the site. It is scheduled for completion in 2024 and will be the new workplace for more than 800 employees currently housed on the site and in Munich.
"The investment in the new building is a clear commitment by the Roche Group to Germany as a research and development location," plant manager Ulrich Opitz makes clear. "It will be an important part of our global competence network in the development of diagnostic tests and will strengthen the attractiveness of Penzberg as a location for science and innovation."
"The Roche site in Penzberg, which currently employs 7,200 people, is a very important economic pilar for our city and the entire region," explains Penzberg's First Mayor Stefan Korpan. "The new research building will further strengthen the Penzberg site and Roche continues to focus on innovation. We support this building project with all our might."
The LEAP building is planned as a smart building, and Roche also intends to implement its sustainability goals during construction.