DEC-18-94 18:31 FROM: CABM

DRC-14-84 16:48 FROM: UMUNY-KWoMbene, un mine ED cesses : a 2

BP ee ee Ce ee

DECEMBER 14, 1994 - LATEST VERSION
Draft

It was announced in the November 4 issue of Science magazine (Science 266, 723,
1994) that Hoffmann-La Roche will close the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology (RIMB)
in Nutley, New Jersey. Although the Institute will be relocated on the campus of Syntex in
Palo Alto, California, it ls apparent that the RIMB will continuc to exist in name only since
the mission of the tansplanted Institute will focus on genomics and the sequencing of the
human genome, efforts that are now in vogue. Since it appears to be unlikely that any
members of the 160-person staff will be asked to move to the new location, the current staff
must relocate, retire or find new positions.

We, the undersigned, view these events with great sadness, most importantly because
they occur at a time when support for such research is dwindling at the expense of what is
frequently trendy, goal-oriented research. The RIMB has been unique since its Inception
in 1967 when it became the first institution devoted entirely to basic research supported by
a pharmaceutical company. Initially, there was considerable skepticism in the scientific
community regarding Hoffmann-La Roche's commitment, However, with Roche's generous
support the Institute attracted a number of excellent scientists and soon attained a world-
class reputation which has been maintained for over 25 years. Based on most recent citation
indexes, for instance, the RIMB ranks extremely high. Jn addition, the Institute has played
u very important role in training outstanding scientists, many of whom now occupy
leadership positions in academia und industry. With the help of the Institute, Hoffmann-La
Roche, Inc. became ane of the first pharmaceutical companies to utilize molecular biolagy
in drug development, thereby making it a standard-bearer in the industry. Moreover, the
development and marketing of Abuscreen and alphu interferon stemmed directly fram the
research of Institute scientists, The RIMB is unique and hes succeeded in its mission in
research and training to an extent that exceeded expectations. Since our understanding of
the molecular biology of cellular processes Is far from exhausted, it is difficult to understand
Hoffmann-La Roche's decision to close the RIMB in Nutley.

For the current members of the RIMB, this closure represcnts a personal Joss and
a feeling of abandonment by Hoffmann-La Roche to which they committed themselves and
their careers. For the larger scientific community, it represents yet another toss in support
for the kind of fundamental research that is essential for scientific progress but for which
there is no vacal public constituency.