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Ventana Medical Systems will increase its workforce by 250 employees in the next year and expand research-and-design facilities at its Oro Valley headquarters, Roche CEO Severin Schwan said today.

Ventana, which headquarters one of Roche's global business units that focus on diagnositcs, plays a key role in the pharmaceutical giant's vision of personalized health care, Schwan said.

Switzerland-based Roche Holding AG bought Ventana earlier this year. The acquisition was completed in February. Since then, Ventana has purchased 17.1 acres from Vistoso Partners LLC, the owners of the Rancho Vistoso retirement community, for $8.9 million.

Schwan, in his fourth visit to Tucson, said Roche plans to expand research and development at Ventana's campus and increase staffing levels from about 750 to more than 1,000.

The global drug maker chose Ventana because it's a leader in tissue diagnostics, Schwan said. Ventana's technology can examine cell structure to determine if certain drug treatments will be effective for patients suffering from cancer or other infectious diseases.

Representatives of bioscience industry, members of Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities Inc., along with elected officials attended today's luncheon.