Lukas (Luc) Hoffmann dies at the age of 93

On Thursday 21 July 2016, Dr Lukas (Luc) Hoffmann, grandson of Roche founder Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche and his wife, Adele, died at the age of 93. Luc Hoffmann was a member of the Board of Directors for over 40 years - from 1953 to 1996. He supported the company with great commitment from an expansion phase in the sixties and seventies to its entry into biotechnology and molecular diagnostics. Luc Hoffmann was a strong advocate for basic research, one of the prerequisites for Roche's success as a research-focused -organisation. A committed conservationist, Luc Hoffmann consistently created an awareness of social and environmental responsibilities. He was convinced that sustainability is important not just for the environment, but also – and equally – for Roche as an underlying principle; with this conviction, he was influential in developing and implementing Roche’s sustainability strategy.

Luc Hoffmann, born 1923 as the son of Emanuel Hoffmann and Maja Hoffmann-Stehlin, studied zoology in Basel and received his doctorate in 1952. He married Daria Razumovsky (1925-2002) the following year, and together they had four children. From 1954, he devoted great effort to setting up the "Station biologique de la Tour du Valat" research centre in the Camargue (France) at the heart of a nature reserve, and made the centre’s management his lifelong project. He was also a founding member and Vice President of the WWF (1961–1988) and was actively involved in a host of other conservation and cultural projects. In 1994, he established the MAVA foundation for conservation – the name is drawn from the initials of his four children – Maja, André, Vera, and Daschenka. He received prizes and awards for his scientific work and commitment from countless countries and organisations, including numerous honorary doctorates, the Euronatur Award for Environmental Excellence (Germany), the Kai Curry-Lindahl Award of the Colonial Waterbird Society (USA) and the Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Medal (WWF International). Luc Hoffmann was also Chevalier and Officier de la Légion d'honneur (France).

Christoph Franz, Chairman of the Roche Board of Directors: “For over forty years as a Board member, Luc Hoffmann played a key role in ensuring Roche’s continued success. He also shaped conservation efforts and the sustainability concept in a visionary manner. His life's work is held in the highest esteem and regard, both at Roche and worldwide. On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Corporate Executive Committee, and all Roche employees, I would like to express our deepest condolences to his children, their families, the Oeri and Duschmalé-Oeri families, and all other relatives.”

About Roche

Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives.

Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.

Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. Twenty-nine medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Roche has been recognised as the Group Leader in sustainability within the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences Industry seven years in a row by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices.

The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2015 employed more than 91,700 people worldwide. In 2015, Roche invested CHF 9.3 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 48.1 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com.