Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Roche Enters a New Era: Move-In to the State-of-the-Art Diagnostics Innovation Center in Penzberg Has Begun

Roche has reached an important milestone: The first research teams have officially begun moving into the new Diagnostics Innovation Center in Penzberg. Following the groundbreaking ceremony in February 2022 and nearly four years of construction, the modern complex is now close to full completion. By June 2026, all roughly 1,000 employees in research and development are expected to relocate and fully begin their operational work in the new facility.

With a total investment of approximately 300 million euros, Roche emphasizes the strategic significance of the Penzberg site within its global diagnostics division. The new center strengthens the entire value chain for in vitro diagnostics – from early research to development and ultimately production.

State-of-the-art work environments and high-performance laboratories

The new building comprises 35,500 square meters of gross floor space, spread across seven stories and reaching a height of 33 meters. The first teams have already moved into modern office environments, while the specialized laboratory areas are currently being set up. With the move, the former internal project name LEAP (Laboratory Excellence Accelerator Penzberg) is replaced by the official name: Diagnostics Innovation Center Penzberg.

Paul Wiggermann, Site Director at Roche Penzberg, highlights both the emotional and strategic relevance of this step: “The move-in is far more than just occupying a building – it is an investment in the future of diagnostics.” Dr. Julia Riedlinger, Center Manager for Diagnostics Research and Development, adds: “This new facility creates ideal conditions for agile collaboration, scientific excellence, and interdisciplinary high-performance research.”

Sustainability as a guiding principle

Particular emphasis was placed on forward-looking construction methods: the western section of the building was constructed using an ecologically optimized timber-hybrid design, making it one of the technological pioneers in industrial research architecture in Germany and beyond. With this approach, Roche sets new architectural and technological benchmarks while reinforcing sustainable development at the site.

Official inauguration in 2026

The official inauguration ceremony of the Diagnostics Innovation Center is planned for February 2026. By then, the majority of relocations will be complete and laboratories will have transitioned into regular operation. Roche highlights that this project is part of a broader investment strategy: over the past five years, more than 500 million euros per year have been invested across German sites, with more than 1.5 billion euros flowing into the Penzberg biotechnology hub between 2020 and 2024.

These continued investments underscore Penzberg’s role as one of Europe’s leading biotechnology centers, providing the foundation for state-of-the-art medical innovation and expanded diagnostic production capacities.