Biotech

Roche in Italy: 712.5 mln contribution to GDP with 165.6 mln impact from R&S

The first study on the multiplier effect of the Swiss company's investments highlights the value chain that triggers growth and development: every euro of direct added value generates 2.6 for the Italian economy

by Health Review

10 July 2025

Stefanos Tsamousis, General Manager Roche

4' min read

4' min read

An overall impact on the economic front of 712.5 million Euro, equal to 0.03% of Italian GDP and with such a multiplier effect that for every Euro of added value, 2.6 are generated for the country's economy. Also thanks to a network that, considering only the first supply chain - 78% of which is made up of small and medium-sized enterprises - involves more than 50 economic sectors. This is the figure that stands out, among others, from the first impact study presented by Roche at the Swiss Embassy in Rome during the event "Multiplier effect: biotech as an engine of development for Italy. The impact of Roche'.

The analysis, carried out with the support of PwC Italy, focuses on four strategic areas: in addition to the economic contribution coming from the Swiss multinational's commitment in Italy, the core activity of scientific research, the impact on employment and the impact on the environment.

The economic impact

In 2023 alone, Roche Italy as mentioned generated a total impact of 712.5 million. Of this figure, the total added value from the company's direct and indirect activities amounted to 446.7 million euros, with a direct share of 274.6 million. What emerges is the multiplier effect of Roche's activities in Italy: for every euro of direct added value, 2.6 are generated for the Italian economy, also thanks to a network that, just considering the first supply chain (78% small and medium enterprises), involves over 50 economic sectors.

Research as fulcrum

The focus of Roche's activities in Italy is research. The impact study shows that in 2023 there were 225 active clinical trials, 77% of which were sponsored (174), involving more than 13,400 patients. In addition to clinical trials, Roche has activated 38 observational studies, involving almost 15,000 patients, and managed 24 'compassionate use' programmes to ensure early access to life-saving therapies in 5 therapeutic areas.

Analysing the 174 sponsored clinical trials active in 2023, a direct investment of EUR 56.5 million was calculated, equivalent to immediate savings for the National Health Service. With the application of economic multipliers that also took into account an added value associated with therapeutic areas with a high need for treatment on which Roche's research focuses - such as oncology and neuroscience - it was estimated that the overall impact, between avoided costs and generated value, reached a total of 165.6 million euros. In concrete terms, every euro invested by Roche Italy in clinical research has generated a return of 2.93 euro to the healthcare system.

The Competitiveness Challenge

"In order to continue to nurture the multiplier effect of biotech investments and the added value they generate for the country, it is essential to have an environment that is truly favourable to innovation," says Stefanos Tsamousis, General Manager Roche Pharma. "In this sense, we support Health Minister Schillaci's proposal to review the payback system, because we believe that instruments such as this, while responding to specific short-term needs, end up limiting the full development of the sector, as well as representing a resource subtracted from potential investment in research, growth and qualified employment, at a time in history when it is essential to act for the international competitiveness of Italy and Europe. Let us not forget, however, that the main impact we generate is on the health of patients - we reached about 75,000 last year alone - a result that also has a positive impact on caregivers and ultimately on the community'.

'Diagnostics, particularly in vitro diagnostics, plays a key role in addressing current and future health challenges. It is the compass that guides the entire patient journey: from prevention to early diagnosis, from therapeutic choice to treatment monitoring. Influencing around 70% of all clinical decisions, its impact on people's health is enormous,' says Burçak Çelik, General Manager Roche Diagnostics Spa. Yet, its value today still seems to be under-recognised considering the low investment dedicated to it. It is time to recognise its role as an enabler of a more sustainable and resilient healthcare system, capable of evolving from a reactive model of 'care' to a proactive one, which prioritises the ability to 'predict', 'intervene early' and 'personalise' care for a healthier future'.

Will for Work

Roche also confirms itself as an important employment driver for the country. The company directly employs 1,038 people, 52% of whom are women (compared to a national average of 42%), 77% have a university degree (compared to 24% nationally) and 34% are under 40 years of age (compared to the Italian average of 33%): this confirms how biotech - the company emphasises - is a sector that can play a key role in attracting and developing talent and skills, generating inclusive and highly qualified employment.

The employment impact extends to first-tier suppliers, which generated 549 annual work units (AWU), of which 18% in the healthcare sector and 82% in 50 other economic sectors. Through the subsequent levels of the supply chain and allied industries, Roche has contributed to the creation of 3,402 Ula in Italy, with an employment multiplier effect of 3.3, i.e. for every direct employee Roche supports more than 3 equivalent workers in the national economy.

Esg and environment

Alongside economic and social value, Roche Italy is also committed to environmental sustainability. The company uses 100% electricity from renewable sources, thanks to green certificates, photovoltaic and solar thermal plants. Between 2019 and 2023, it reduced its overall energy consumption by 28%, with savings of 44% in electricity alone, equivalent to the annual consumption of 436 households. Over the same period, greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 41%, confirming the commitment to a virtuous and increasingly sustainable production model.