Pharma partnering in Asia

At Roche, finding innovative solutions for unmet medical needs is at the heart of what we do.

In order to achieve our ambitious goals, we invested CHF 13 billion in healthcare R&D in 2024, solidifying our position as a leader in the field. We proposed the “One Pharma Strategy” (OPS) to unite, setting out how to optimise our resources and capabilities to deliver 20 transformative medicines by 2030. However,  if we want to tackle some of the biggest challenges in healthcare, we need to bring together the most brilliant minds in science - we can’t do it alone! 

The innovation currently ongoing in Asia is unprecedented. We are inspired by this urge to find new scientific breakthroughs and are committed to taking an active role in further accelerating this innovation as one of the global leaders in the healthcare industry. In last 4 years, we have completed collaborations with 5 Chinese Biotech companies: 

• In 2022, we licensed in the androgen receptor degrader from JeminCare to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

• In 2023, we licensed in the HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor from Zion to brain penetrant HER2 TKI inhibitor 

• In 2024, we licensed in the cMet ADC from MediLink for GI cancers and other solid tumors

• In 2024, we acquired Next-generation CDK inhibitors from Regor for the treatment of breast cancer

• In 2025, we licensed in DLL3 topoI ADC from Innovent to first wave of clinical DLL3 ADCs and has BIC potential in SCLC

• We have a strong history and presence in Asia and are committed to fostering breakthrough innovation in the region:

  • In China, we were the first multinational companies to open offices in the Zhangjihang Hi-Tech Park in China in 1994. Today 7,000 employees are working for Roche Pharma and Roche Diagnostics in China.

  • In Japan, Roche already entered a strategic alliance with Chugai in 2002, which is a mutually beneficial and fruitful partnership until today. The Roche-Chugai alliance exemplifies a successful model of global collaboration that respects local autonomy while maximizing collective strengths in pharmaceutical research, development, and market penetration.

  • We have offices and a strong presence across the entire Asia Pacific region.

• Business development professionals are located in Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo to in-license first in class or best in disease molecules. We strive to maximize the potential of our alliances jointly with our partners and bring innovation from Asia to the world.

We are looking to partner with pharma, biotech and academic institutions in Asia. We are keen to leverage our strengths as a global leader in healthcare to accelerate innovation and bring the best science from Asia to patients worldwide. We are especially looking for:

Innovative biotechs or academic institutions from Asia working on first in class or best in disease opportunities from Discovery to Phase III Development.

For our R&D site in Shanghai, we are especially looking for partnering global opportunities in Immunology (Anti-inflammation, Inflammatory macrophages, Anti-fibrosis, Nucleic acid sensing, Immunometabolism, Synovial and endothelial cells, Podocyte protection, Renal vasodilation, Intestinal motility and Enteric neuronal activity modulation) and Oncology (Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers).

For our China Innovation Center of Roche ( CICoR) in Shanghai, we are especially looking for partnering global opportunities in Oncology (Solid tumors,Transformational ADC, Cancer Cell Dependencies), Immunology (Autoimmune/Inflammatory, Kidney etc), Cardiovascular and metabolism (Obesity, Muscle mass preservation) and Modalities & Technologies (Novel screening technology, Small molecule drug conjugate (SMDC), Tumor/ Tissue targeting, Molecular glue, AI applications for discovery).