Will Roche mess up a good thing? - Anonymous employee Genentech Employee Review

4.0
Dec 29, 2009
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Focus on patients, great science, and innovation. Lots of talented employees. Unique culture of casual intensity. In terms of drug R&D, probably as good as it's reputation.

Cons

Senior management seem unaware of how competitive it is below them. Promotion opportunities are limited. Everyone takes a title cut to work at GNE. Even though there is lip service to pushing decision making down to lowest possible level, sr. management tends to micromanage everything. Very uncertain atmosphere since Roche takeover. Lots of great people have left in the last 8 months, including virtually all major players from the former GNE Exec. Comm.

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5.0
Jul 8, 2026
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CEO approval
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Pros

Great culture and work environment.

Cons

PhD is necessary oftentimes for advancement.

3.0
May 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Genentech's origin story and mission are genuinely inspiring — few companies can point to such a meaningful historical arc in medicine. Patient engagement is taken seriously and feels authentic, not performative. The campus is beautiful and the culture has real warmth.

Cons

DDA is operating with significant gaps. First, the foundational data infrastructure is not mature enough to support the ambitions being set for the team. Second, the measurement culture has gotten ahead of the methodology, and no one in a position of authority seems to be asking hard questions about whether the numbers actually mean what they're being presented as meaning. Third, some management feel disconnected from the work itself, lacking the knowledge, hands-on experience, or relevant credentials. Individually any one of these would be manageable. Together these create an environment where it's hard to do rigorous work, rather work is performative, and be recognized for it.

3
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