Roche Canada announced on October 16 that it will invest $500 million over five years to establish its Global Pharma Technical operations site at its Canadian headquarters in Mississauga.

The site will be responsible for supporting Roche Canada’s manufacturing and supply chain operations, including monitoring safety, quality and distribution of pharmaceutical products shipped around the world.

By the end of 2020, Roche will have hired 200 skilled jobs and up to 300 more by the end of 2023. 

In 2012, Roche Canada established Mississauga as a product development site for overseeing clinical trials both in Canada and globally. The success of this site, along with a highly-skilled available local workforce, saw Ontario win out over 12 international locations and Roche sites to secure the company’s latest investment.

"Ontario was selected for this investment based on a strong competitive business environment, exceptional talent pool, and a government committed to fostering growth in the sector," said Ronnie Miller, president & CEO of Roche Pharmaceuticals, Canada. "We applaud the hard work done by the Government of Ontario and the Premier's Office to foster a business environment that can compete internationally to attract investment opportunities, and Roche's commitment to add up to 500 specialized positions is a direct result of these positive changes."

"Ontario is home to titans of research, development and innovation, who are leading the creation of life-saving medicines, treatment, and medical equipment," said Premier Doug Ford. "Roche's new operation hub in Mississauga will further anchor Ontario's position as a global leader in life sciences, create good-paying jobs in the community, and ensure Ontario's best and brightest minds advance the important work Roche does to transform health care here in our province and beyond."

This opportunity places Ontario at the top of the list for potential future global investments across the life sciences sector. The investment will create new and exciting employment opportunities, including for recent graduates of Ontario's strong academic ecosystem who will have the opportunity to impact the development of Roche's medicines from early stages through to being supplied to patients around the world.

Roche is the world's largest biotech company and a world leader in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Founded in 1931, Roche Canada employs more than 1,800 people across the country through its pharmaceuticals division in Mississauga, Ontario, and diagnostics as well as Diabetes Care divisions in Laval, Quebec.