Media Release

24 October, 2016, DUBAI, UAE – Harald Wolf, General Manager of Roche Diagnostics Middle East (RDME), today reaffirmed the company’s commitment to workplace diversity and gender equality at the annual Women in Leadership Economic Forum. Roche Diagnostics, a global and regional leader in in-vitro diagnostics, which last year invested globally more than $10 billion (USD) in research and development in the diagnostics division alone; a true display of their commitment to innovation and creating a diverse environment where every idea counts.

Held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy, the 16th edition of the forum brought together more than 300 global business and thought leaders to discuss key issues on women in leadership.

“Diversity and inclusion is the driver to innovation and creativity - our DNA at Roche,” added Wolf. “Only through a diverse workforce - of different educational backgrounds, professional knowledge, personality types, thinking styles and life experiences - can we discover the best ideas. By providing females and males alike at Roche Diagnostics Middle East with the opportunity for career development, we ensure the growth and sustainability of our single largest investment – our employees – and, in turn, produce technologies that improve patients’ lives and continue to help advancing the healthcare industry. Our dedication to such initiatives in the Middle East is part of the reason we’ve seen seven-percent growth in the division globally during the first nine months of this year.”

The company in the Middle East also offers new mothers up to six months of maternity leave, part of its commitment to invest in employees’ physical and mental wellness and promote work-life balance.  “We’ve also taken the appropriate measures to allow female employment in Saudi Arabia according to local laws, and since 2013 we’ve seen a steady rise in the number of Saudi women in our workforce there,” Wolf added.

Here in the region, Roche Diagnostics employees over 400 employees, including 32 percent women in leadership positions, a number that has continued to grow since the regional office’s founding in 2012. Two of the company’s leaders, Liliane Kanaan Country Manager Egypt and Maysoun Ramadan, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, also spoke at the conference to give their own insights into the opportunities for Arab women in the region.

Said Maysoun, “As a young Arab leader and expecting mother, I recognize the challenges that we face every day as we balance career and family. What many people may not be aware of is that the entire Arab world is becoming more progressive when it comes to women in the workforce and in leadership positions – the UAE alone has appointed an increasing number of women to senior government position; a vision that showcases solid commitment to diversity and inclusion and we actively seek to mirror at Roche Diagnostics in the region.”

Further, added Kanaan after delivering an inspirational keynote speech: “Driving a successful diversity strategy begins with the senior leaders, but to be fully sustainable, it needs to be lived by every one of us. By embracing diversity, we are enriching every decision and discussion and bringing our purpose to life.”

About Roche

Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives.

Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best possible way.

Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. Twenty-nine medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Roche has been recognised as the Group Leader in sustainability within the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences Industry seven years in a row by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices.

The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2015 employed more than 91,700 people worldwide. In 2015, Roche invested CHF 9.3 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 48.1 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit www.roche.com

About Roche Diagnostics Middle East

Roche have taken the unprecedented move of being the first IVD company to have a Management Center and a logistics hub in the Middle East. Roche has extended its ownership of the entire supply chain, quality control and customer support all the way into the centre of the region. This base of operations reinforces the commitment to global Roche standards and is driven by a full team of vastly experienced specialists offering a complete portfolio of services. With this regional empowerment, Roche has moved its leadership and decision-making closer to its customers and distributors. These investments allow Roche Diagnostics Middle East to develop from being a supplier into becoming the preferred IVD partner for its customers.

Roche Diagnostics Middle East offers a complete portfolio of services in 16 countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya and Maldives. For more information, please visit: www.roche-middleeast.com  All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.