Roche's $100M Basel lab redefines drug testing with organoid tech
Roche has officially opened its new Institute of Human Biology (IHB) in Basel. The state-of-the-art research centre, known as Building 92, represents a 100 million Swiss franc investment. It will focus on advancing drug development while cutting back on animal testing.
The facility occupies 23,000 square meters and can house up to 250 researchers. Originally constructed in 2000, the building has undergone a full renovation to meet modern scientific needs. Its core mission revolves around human model systems and organoid technology.
During the inauguration, IHB co-director Matthias Lütolf showcased a robot designed to automate organoid preparation. This technology allows researchers to produce thousands of tiny, lab-grown organ models efficiently. The aim is to speed up drug testing and improve accuracy before human trials.
The new institute strengthens Roche's research capabilities in Basel. By prioritising human-based models, it could reduce the need for animal experiments in early-stage drug development. The facility is now fully operational and ready for large-scale studies.
