Speeches

Genentech Groundbreaking
Remarks by Ambassador Patricia Herbold
Raffles Marina
June 28, 2007

Thank you.  Mr. Iswaran, Dr. Yang, Mr. Gemuend, ladies and gentlemen.  I am delighted to be here with you today to celebrate Genentech’s investment in Singapore.  It’s always a thrill to welcome an American company to the Singapore marketplace.

Genentech gave birth to the field of biotechnology more than 30 years ago.  Since then, the company has delivered on the promise of this increasingly important industry.  Genentech transforms innovative science into breakthrough therapies for patients, using human genetic information to discover, develop, commercialize and manufacture biotherapeutics that address significant unmet medical needs.

Genentech is recognized as one of America’s best companies in terms of performance, workplace culture, contributions to the community, and patient advocacy.  The company’s distinctions include Fortune Magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For”; Working Mother Magazine’s “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers”; BusinessWeek Magazine’s “100 Most Innovative Companies”; and Business Ethics Magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens.”  With accolades like these, it’s a good thing I love my job or I would be submitting an employment application to Genentech.

I’d like to take a moment to recognize Genentech’s strong corporate citizenship, something near and dear to my heart.  The company is committed to making healthcare accessible to those who cannot otherwise afford it.  Since 1985 Genentech has donated free medicine to uninsured patients.  Through the Genentech Access to Care Foundation and Genentech Endowment for Cystic Fibrosis, last year alone the company gave more than $205 million in medicine to approximately 14,000 patients.  In addition, the Genentech Foundation supports community and education programs, such as providing health science education to aspiring young minds.

I congratulate Genentech on the decision to build a drug manufacturing facility here in Singapore.  As a biotech hub, Singapore attracts innovation and expertise from all over the world.  The highly skilled workforce fluent in English, strong Intellectual Property Rights protections, and friendly and safe environment make Singapore a terrific place for U.S. companies.

I wish all of you at Genentech great success, and welcome you to Singapore.  Thank you for including me in this milestone day and special celebration.