Roche has announced it is seeking a partner to take over the production and supply of Rocephin, its brand name for ceftriaxone, due to rising manufacturing costs in Switzerland. The antibiotic, which has been produced at Roche’s Kaiseraugst site for four decades, is widely used to treat conditions such as sepsis and meningitis and is included on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines.
The decision was first reported by AWP Financial News and later confirmed by a Roche spokesperson in an email to BioSpace. According to the spokesperson, “The decision was made because production of Rocephin in Switzerland is becoming increasingly unsustainable due to the rising cost of manufacturing, the reduction in prices that governments are willing to pay for Rocephin and the widespread use of generics in many countries around the world.”
Over the past two years, Roche has discussed possible solutions with both the European Commission’s Health Emergency Response Authority and the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health. However, no agreement was reached on how to maintain sustainable production at the Swiss site. As a result, Roche will begin looking for a new production partner this year. The company stated that completion of this process could occur as late as the end of this decade. Both EU and Swiss authorities have been informed about Roche’s plans.
This move comes as European Union policymakers are working to strengthen regional drug manufacturing following pandemic-related supply disruptions and recent trade tensions with the United States. These events have led lawmakers to propose reforms aimed at preventing medicine shortages and reducing reliance on imports.
One such proposal is the Critical Medicines Act, which would allow countries within the EU to prioritize suppliers who manufacture key products locally rather than basing procurement decisions mainly on price. The legislation is currently in its final negotiation phase among EU institutions.
Roche’s decision reflects broader industry trends as companies respond to evolving regulations and competitive pressures across global markets.
