Roche was founded on October 1st, 1896. The founder, Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche, was among the first to recognize that the industrial manufacture of standardized medicines would be a major advance in the fight against disease. From the very beginning, Roche’s visionary founder focused his company on innovation and on establishing an international presence. This multinational presence reinforces their ability to offer the healthcare solutions and to anticipate needs in all regions of the world. Today, Roche employs more than 80,000 people and sells its products in more than 150 countries. Today Roche ranks among the world’s leading healthcare companies and has two strong core businesses: diagnostics and pharmaceuticals.
Innovation has been one of Roche's hallmarks ever since, and many of their pharmaceutical products have become milestones in drug therapy. Upon these products they built the present world leadership in the hospital pharmacy market. Roche Professional Diagnostics (RPD) is the largest Business Area of Roche Diagnostics and a leading supplier of solutions, instrument systems, tests, software and services that help laboratories deliver reliable results more efficiently and cost-effectively. RPD is also strengthening its position as a leader in the growing market for point-of-care testing products to support clinical decision-making in doctors’ offices, emergency rooms and other primary and specialty care settings.
