How Trump’s attack on diversity could derail drug development in Switzerland

Swiss pharmaceutical companies Roche and Novartis are adjusting goals on diversity and inclusion in response to US President Trump’s executive orders. Experts warn abandoning any diversity goals in clinical research could set drug development back decades. Global companies with headquarters outside the US are not immune to pressure from US President Donald Trump’s executive orders. Several Swiss companies announced this week that they are adjusting their language and goals on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) not just in the US but also at a global level. Among them, pharmaceutical company Roche is changing its ten-year ambition from “achieve an inclusive environment through global leadership that mirrors our workforce” to “foster an inclusive environment that inspires people to perform at their very best,” a Roche spokesperson told SWI swissinfo.ch in an emailed statement. The decision comes in response to Trump’s executive orders, specifically one issued on January 21 on ...