Roche Palo Alto

Roche Palo Alto was a major research and development hub for Roche, established following the 1994 acquisition of Syntex. Located in Silicon Valley, the site specialized in the discovery and development of small molecule therapeutics for virology, inflammation, and central nervous system disorders. The facility was instrumental in the development of blockbuster drugs such as the immunosuppressant CellCept and the antiviral Valcyte. In 2008, Roche announced the closure of the Palo Alto site as part of a global restructuring to consolidate R&D activities, eventually transitioning many of its functions to Genentech and other Roche locations. The site is historically significant as the former headquarters of Syntex, where the first oral contraceptive pill was developed.