Roche vs TotalEnergies: Founders, CEOs and History
Roche was founded in 1896 by Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche and is led by Thomas Schinecker. TotalEnergies was founded in 1924 by Raymond Poincaré, Ernest Mercier and is led by Patrick Pouyanné.
Company facts
Roche
- Founded
- 1896
- Headquarters
- Basel, Switzerland
- Current CEO
- Thomas Schinecker
- Employees
- 112,774
TotalEnergies
- Founded
- 1924
- Headquarters
- Paris, France
- Current CEO
- Patrick Pouyanné
- Employees
- 100,000
Founders
Roche
Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche
Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche (1868-1920) founded F. Hoffmann-La Roche & Co. in Basel on 1 October 1896, at age 28.
TotalEnergies
Raymond Poincaré
Raymond Poincaré was President of France during World War I and Prime Minister when his government pushed for a national oil company in 1924.
Ernest Mercier
Ernest Mercier was the industrialist chosen to set up and chair Compagnie Française des Pétroles.
CEOs and their tenures
Roche
- Severin Schwan2008–2023
Chief Executive Officer
Serving as CEO from 2008 to 2023, he cemented Roche's absolute dominance in global oncology and highly advanced diagnostics before moving to Chairman of the Board.
Source - Thomas Schinecker2023–present
Chief Executive Officer
Under Schinecker, Roche returned to growth after the COVID testing decline: 2025 sales rose 7% at constant rates to ~$73.8 billion (CHF 61.5 billion) and 12 late-stage studies read out positively that year.
Source
TotalEnergies
- Thierry Desmarest1995–2007
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Under his leadership, Total more than doubled in size, becoming a dominant global supermajor capable of competing with Exxon and Shell.
Source - Christophe de Margerie2007–2014
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
He transformed Total into one of the most geographically diverse supermajors before his sudden death in a plane crash in 2014.
Source - Patrick Pouyanné2014–present
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
CEO since October 2014 and Chairman since December 2015, Pouyanné renamed the company TotalEnergies in 2021, expanded LNG and Integrated Power, and kept returns at the top of the majors (12.6% ROACE in 2025).
Source - Jean-Pierre Sbraire2019–present
Chief Financial Officer
As CFO, he fortified the balance sheet during unprecedented energy market volatility following the geopolitical shocks of 2022.
Source
Timeline: Roche and TotalEnergies side by side
1896Roche
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Founded in Basel
Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche founds the enterprise in Basel, Switzerland, pioneering mass-manufactured, chemically standardized prescription pharmaceuticals.
1898Roche
Commercial Breakthrough with Sirolin
Roche launches non-prescription cough syrup Sirolin, achieving widespread international distribution and financing early clinical laboratories.
1924TotalEnergies
Compagnie Francaise des Petroles founded
The French state-backed oil company was created to secure access to petroleum resources and became the predecessor of TotalEnergies.
1934Roche
First Industrial Synthesis of Vitamin C
Roche becomes the first company to mass-produce synthetic Vitamin C (Redoxon) at industrial scale, anchoring decades of high-margin global cash flow.
1954TotalEnergies
Total Brand Created
The company created the Total brand in 1954 to build a retail distribution network.
1963Roche
Launch of Valium (Diazepam)
Roche introduces Valium, which becomes the world's most widely prescribed psychotropic medication and establishes global pharmaceutical leadership.
1968Roche
Establishment of Roche Diagnostics
Roche launches its dedicated diagnostic division, laying the foundation to become the world's preeminent in-vitro diagnostics (IVD) provider.
1995TotalEnergies
Thierry Desmarest becomes CEO
Thierry Desmarest became CEO of TotalEnergies in 1995. Led Total from 1995 to 2007 and engineered the Petrofina and Elf Aquitaine combinations; remained Chairman until 2010.
1999TotalEnergies
Petrofina acquired; Elf Aquitaine follows in 2000
Total combined with Belgium's Petrofina in 1999 and Elf Aquitaine in 2000, operating as TotalFinaElf before reverting to Total in 2003.
2000TotalEnergies
Elf Aquitaine Acquired
Total acquired Elf Aquitaine in 2000, forming TotalFinaElf.
2007TotalEnergies
Christophe de Margerie becomes CEO
Christophe de Margerie became CEO of TotalEnergies in 2007. CEO from 2007 and Chairman from 2010 until his death in a plane accident at Moscow's Vnukovo airport in October 2014.
2008Roche
Severin Schwan becomes CEO
Severin Schwan became CEO of F. Hoffmann-La Roche in 2008. Led Roche for 14 years; handed over to Thomas Schinecker in March 2023 and became chairman.
2009Roche
Full Acquisition of Genentech for $46.8 Billion
Roche completes its historic $46.8 billion buyout of American biotechnology pioneer Genentech, securing market leadership in oncology biologics.
2011TotalEnergies
Acquired SunPower (majority stake)
TotalEnergies acquired SunPower (majority stake).
2018Roche
Foundation Medicine & Flatiron Health Acquisitions
Roche acquires Foundation Medicine and Flatiron Health, integrating real-world oncology data analytics and genomic profiling into personalized healthcare.
2018TotalEnergies
Direct Energie acquired
Total bought French power and gas retailer Direct Energie, the base of its European retail electricity business.
2021TotalEnergies
Total becomes TotalEnergies
The company changed its name to TotalEnergies to reflect a broader multi-energy strategy spanning oil, gas, electricity, renewables, and low-carbon energy.
2023Roche
Acquired Telavant
F. Hoffmann-La Roche acquired Telavant for $7.1 billion. Roche paid $7.1 billion upfront for Telavant to gain US and Japan rights to the anti-TL1A antibody RVT-3101 (afimkibart) for inflammatory bowel disease.
2025Roche
Group Sales Reach CHF 61.5 Billion
Under CEO Thomas Schinecker, Roche delivers group sales of ~$73.8 billion (CHF 61.5 billion), driven by ~$57.2B (CHF 47.7B) in Pharmaceuticals and ~$16.6B (CHF 13.8B) in Diagnostics.
2025TotalEnergies
2025 results
Revenues from sales of $182.344 billion, adjusted net income of $15.6 billion (down 15%), IFRS net income of $13.127 billion and a €3.40 dividend.
2026TotalEnergies
Mozambique LNG full restart
On January 29, 2026, Patrick Pouyanné and President Daniel Chapo announced the full restart of the roughly $20 billion Mozambique LNG project after force majeure was lifted in November 2025.
2026TotalEnergies
Q2 2026 results
Adjusted net income of $6.0 billion and cash flow of $9.8 billion in the second quarter as higher oil prices tied to the Middle East conflict lifted earnings.
Acquisitions
Roche
- PathAI2026$1.1B
- 89bio2025$3.5B
- Telavant2023$7.1B
- Carmot Therapeutics2023$2.7B
- Foundation Medicine2018$2.4B
- ForSight VISION42017Undisclosed
TotalEnergies
- Direct Energie2018$1.6B
- Saft Groupe2016Undisclosed
- SunPower (majority stake)2011Undisclosed
- Petrofina and Elf Aquitaine1999Undisclosed
Questions about Roche vs TotalEnergies
Who is the CEO of F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG and TotalEnergies SE?
F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG is led by Thomas Schinecker and TotalEnergies SE is led by Patrick Pouyanné. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG founded vs TotalEnergies SE?
F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG was founded in 1896 — 28 years before TotalEnergies SE, which was founded in 1924. F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger TotalEnergies SE.
How many employees does F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG have compared to TotalEnergies SE?
F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG employs approximately 112,774 people, while TotalEnergies SE employs approximately 100,000. F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG has the larger workforce at 112,774 employees, compared to TotalEnergies SE's 100,000. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG and TotalEnergies SE headquartered?
F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG is headquartered in Switzerland and TotalEnergies SE is headquartered in France. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG and TotalEnergies SE?
F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG was founded by Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche. TotalEnergies SE was founded by Raymond Poincaré, Ernest Mercier.
Which company has a longer operating history — F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG or TotalEnergies SE?
F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG has been operating for approximately 130 years, making it the more established of the two companies. TotalEnergies SE has been in operation for around 102 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Roche vs TotalEnergies overview