The Swiss drugmaker is establishing five units, or ‘cross-functional teams,’ each of which will include research, regulatory and marketing. Cancer, for instance, will be stationed in Nutley, N.J., where the Hoffmann-La Roche U.S. unit is headquartered. Virology and inflammation will be based in Palo Alto, home to Roche’s Genentech. And metabolism and central nervous system will be in Basel.

As part of the rethink, R&D spending, which rise from $4.8 billion, although the Roche statement wasn’t specific. Meanwhile, Jonathan Knowles, president of global research, will also be head of global research, and Lee Babiss, who currently oversees research in Nutley, is now head of global pharma research.

“We’re taking the opportunity to refocus at a time of economic strength on the challenges that lie ahead”, says Bill Burns, ceo of Roche’s pharma division.[tags]Genentech, Roche[/tags]