Roche Holding AG (SWX:ROG) planned to sell its 800-employee drug manufacturing plant in Vacaville, California, or it will shut the factory by 2029, according to e-mailed letters to workers seen by Reuters on May 31, 2023. Roche confirmed the divestiture plan in a statement, but did not address the potential closing of the plant or its timeline. The company said it does not expect to need the very large volumes of the medicines the plant provides, and large-scale production will be done in one of the company's newer plants.

It also plans to focus on drugs targeting smaller patient populations moving forward, it said in the emails to employees. According to Roche, there will be no impact to operations or employees at this time. The company said it is seeking a buyer that will continue to use the plant as an operating facility.

If the company is unable to find a buyer, it will ramp down production and close the plant in 2028 to 2029, the emails said.