The Roche Institute of Molecular Biology was created on July 14, 1967 when John Burns, then the vice president of research at Hoffman-La Roche, persuaded biochemist Sidney Udenfriend to leave the National Institutes of Health and help him create a basic science institute at the Hoffman-La Roche Nutley, New Jersey, facility.
At one time, it was one of the largest post-doctoral training programs funded by industry with approximately 70 fellows.
It was one of the first examples of a successful relationship between a basic biological research institute and biomedical company.
Notable discoveries include Abuscreen, a product for detecting drug abuse, and Aferon, a recombinant alpha-interferon.
[2] The building which formerly housed the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology now is the location of the Hackensack Meridian Health's Center for Discovery and Innovation.