Roche family member Lukas Hoffmann dies

Lukas Hoffmann, grandson of Roche founder Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche, has died at the age of 93.

Hoffman, who died yesterday, July 21, was a member of the board of directors at the pharmaceutical company from 1953 to 1996.

Roche said he “supported the company with great commitment from an expansion phase in the sixties and seventies to its entry into biotechnology and molecular diagnostics”.

Christoph Franz, chair of the board of directors at Roche, said: “For over forty years as a board member Luc Hoffmann played a key role in ensuring Roche’s continued success.”

He added: “His life's work is held in the highest esteem and regard, both at Roche and worldwide”.

Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche founded Roche in Switzerland in 1896.