Roche Molecular invests $57.5M in "green" research building

Roche Molecular Diagnostics, a US unit of Swiss drug major Roche, announced the opening of its new research facility at the company's global headquarters in Pleasanton, California. The building represents the final phase of consolidation of RMD's West Coast operations into one campus in Pleasanton which now houses close to 500 employees, including 120 members of the firm's research teams previously located in Alameda. RMD is a world-leading molecular diagnostics company, developing products designed to provide information allowing health care providers to select and monitor patient response to therapy or identify molecular characteristics of a disease. RMD's offerings also help to ensure the safety of blood and blood products before they are used for medical procedures by using its approved systems to screen donations.

The research building, which involves an investment of some $57.5 million, encompasses more than 135,000 square feet on the 33.4 acre campus in the Hacienda Business Park. The building and its surroundings incorporate numerous features designed to ensure successful green building status, construction and operation, and further demonstrate Roche's ongoing commitment to sustained development and environmental efficiency throughout its global operations, the firm says. Going forward, RMD is working to implement final operational improvements that will enable the new facility to qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design "green building" certification from the US Green Building Council.