Roche sets sights on Shanghai with major eye drug plant

Swiss pharma giant Roche (ROG: SIX) is investing $280 million to build a new biopharma manufacturing facility in Shanghai, as it doubles down on its commitment to the Chinese market.

The company said the plant, to be located in Pudong’s Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, will focus on production of Vabysmo (faricimab-svoa), a bispecific antibody used to treat several retinal conditions, including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. Construction is expected to wrap up by 2029, with operations beginning in 2031.

Roche said the move supports its long-term strategy to expand local capabilities in China, which it described as one of its key markets globally.