Roche opens new Institute of Human Biology in Basel

Roche has opened a new research facility for its Institute of Human Biology at its Basel headquarters, adding fresh momentum to one of the world’s leading life sciences locations.

Known as Building 92, the new facility is designed to house up to 250 researchers and supports closer collaboration across human disease biology, computational biology and translational bioengineering. Roche says the building will help its teams develop advanced human model systems, such as organoids, organ-on-chip platforms and computational models, to make drug discovery and development more predictive and efficient.

The opening is part of Roche’s wider CHF 1.4 billion investment in its Basel and Kaiseraugst sites. It also reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening the infrastructure needed to translate cutting-edge science into patient-focused innovation. In the words of Azad Bonni, Global Head and Director of the Institute of Human Biology, the new facility is about “changing how we understand and tackle human disease.”

For the Basel Area, the move adds to an already exceptional concentration of research capability, industry expertise and innovation infrastructure. The Institute of Human Biology was founded in 2023 and is designed to bridge discovery and application more effectively, helping scientists better predict whether and how new therapies will work in people.

That matters for the wider region as well. Major investments like this strengthen the Basel Area’s position as a place where global companies can access scientific talent, high-value R&D infrastructure and the partnerships needed to innovate at scale. Roche’s decision to continue expanding in Basel is another clear sign of confidence in the region’s long-term ability to support advanced science, collaboration and growth.