Exclusive-Roche looking to sell or shut down Vacaville, California plant

By Michael Erman

(Reuters) -Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG plans to sell or close its 800-employee drug manufacturing plant in Vacaville, California, or will shut the factory down by 2029, according to e-mailed letters to workers obtained by Reuters on Wednesday.

Roche confirmed the divestiture plan in a statement. It said it does not expect to need the very large volumes that the plant provides, and large-scale production will be done in one of the company’s newer plants.

It also plans to focus on drugs targeting smaller patient populations moving forward, it said in the emails to employees.

According to Roche, there will be no impact to operations or employees at this time.

The company said it is seeking a buyer that will continue to use the plant as an operating facility.

If the company is unable to find a buyer, it said it will ramp down production and close the plant in 2028 to 2029, the emails said.

Roche acquired the plant more than a decade ago with its purchase of Genentech. The plant makes drugs for cancer including Avastin and Herceptin as well as Actemra for rheumatoid arthritis.

(Reporting by Michael ErmanEditing by Chris Reese and Diane Craft)