Roche was named the Group Leader in the Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology and Life Sciences annual Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI), a global index that tracks the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide based on financially material environmental, social, and governance factors based on an analysis by RobecoSAM, an investment firm focused on sustainability investing. For this year’s study, the largest 3,400 companies from developed and emerging markets took part in the firm’s annual Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), which consists of over 100 financially material criteria.This year, RobecoSAM assessed 85% of the invited universe's free float market capitalization for the DJSI review. RobecoSAM identifies the top scoring company in each of the 24 industry groups based on the Global Industry Classification System For the seventh consecutive year, Roche has been recognized as the Group Leader in sustainability within the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences Industry.

Roche performed particularly well across several categories, including code of conduct and compliance, risk and crisis management, supply chain management, environmental policy and management, talent attraction and retention. With more than 100 new partnerships across academia, research institutions, venture firms and biotech companies established last year, DJSI noted in particular Roche's strong culture of collaboration, broad approach to innovation, and commitment to furthering access to healthcare. Initiatives included early detection and treatment programs in Africa, South America, and Asia, and working with the Transnet foundation in South Africa to deliver local healthcare solutions to remote communities. Additionally, DJSI noted Roche's leadership and development programs that encourage diversity, professional and personal development.

Among biotechnology companies, Biogen in the 100th percentile on 17 of the 24 evaluation criteria, including those addressing patient access to treatments, environment, and innovation. Biogen improved its DJSI score from last year on 11 specific environmental, social, and economic indicators. These included: climate strategy, addressing cost burden, health outcome contribution, labor practices and human rights, occupational health and safety, social reporting, stakeholder engagement, crisis and risk management, supply chain management, innovation management, and customer relationship management. In addition, Biogen announced last year that it has become carbon neutral, meaning that the company has effectively neutralized all of the carbon emissions associated with its business. The company has set goals by 2020 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water use intensity by 80% (compared to its 2006 baseline and normalized by revenue) and achieving zero waste-to-landfill status after keeping 99% of its waste from landfills since 2012.

Sanofi also reported that it had improved its ranking in the DJSI, reaching a score of 86 out of 100 in 2015, up from 83 in 2014. Some key recent highlights include reducing its carbon dioxide emissions by 15% in 2014 compared to 2014.

Source: DSJI, Roche, Sanofi, and Biogen