Genentech 50th Anniversary Remarks
May 13, 2026
Good evening, everyone. It is so wonderful to be here to celebrate such an important milestone for Genentech. Congratulations on 50 years!
For five decades, Genentech has embodied innovation and passion in their pursuit of cutting-edge biology and technology to discover and make medicines for the most daunting diseases. The committed professionals at Genentech have changed science, they’ve changed lives, and they’ve changed how we look at curing disease.
Last year, 39 million patients worldwide were treated with one of Genentech’s medicines. THAT is life-changing work in action.
Here in Oregon, Genentech is a pillar of the Hillsboro community. Thank you for your focus on community and your local partnerships. I’m excited to see Genentech’s continued success here in Oregon. You are leaning into Oregon’s assets, fostering the future workforce in the region, and providing good paying jobs in an important – and growing – sector of our economy.
Genentech and our life sciences sector are vital to our current prosperity – and they are critical to the future prosperity of Oregon. They represent a shining example of how hard work, investment, and community can come together to create something extraordinary.
Genentech is putting in the work to advance biotechnology while also uplifting local talent through close partnerships with Hillsboro School District and Portland Community College, creating new opportunities to develop Oregon’s workforce in advanced manufacturing and bioscience. Genentech exemplifies the best of public-private partnerships in workforce development.
The economic impact of Genentech’s work is definitely noteworthy. Thank you for creating opportunity for so many here in Oregon.
But no matter how important all that is, I know the Genentech team would want me to come back to the WHY of their work. The WHY is about saving lives by pioneering individualized treatments for rare diseases. The treatments developed and manufactured here make a profound difference for families across the world.
From treatments for cancer and rare genetic diseases to therapies that manage chronic conditions, Genentech’s team here in Hillsboro is on the front lines of human progress.
Every treatment produced, every breakthrough achieved represents hope for patients and their families facing their toughest battles.
As we look ahead to the next 50 years, I want an Oregon that remains committed to being a welcoming home for innovators like Genentech. Investing in our workforce, infrastructure, and policies that promote economic prosperity and growth will be vital to that vision, and I’m here to tell you that I’m committed to that future.
To the Genentech leadership, scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff here in Hillsboro – thank you. Your dedication, creativity, and hard work make Oregon stronger, healthier, and more prosperous. Thank you for sticking with us.
Congratulations on 50 years, Genentech! Oregon is proud to celebrate with you.