AstraZeneca to shed r&d jobs in UK
AstraZeneca is to cut up to 1,000 jobs and close sites in the UK as it ceases research into treatments for several diseases.
AstraZeneca is to cut up to 1,000 jobs and close sites in the UK as it ceases research into treatments for several diseases.
The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker will shut its r&d site in Charnwood, Leicestershire and a smaller site in Cambridge.
Pharmaceutical development work at the Avlon factory near Bristol will also cease, with some roles transferring to Macclesfield or Alderley Park in Cheshire. Manufacturing at Avlon will continue.
AstraZeneca will no longer research medicines for thrombosis, acid reflux, ovarian and bladder cancers, systemic scleroderma and hepatitis C. It will also stop researching treatments for schizophrenia, biopolar disorder, depression and anxiety and abandon the discovery of vaccines for conditions other than respiratory syncytial virus and influenza.
The drugmaker is also considering the sale of Arrow Therapeutics, an antiviral business in London, which it bought in 2007 for US$150m and employs about 50 people.
AstraZeneca will also close research sites in Lund, Sweden and expand the Moelndal facility to accommodate the respiratory and inflammation research activities to be transferred from Lund and Charnwood.
Early-stage discovery will cease at Wilmington, US and related activities significantly reduced, although the site will continue to be a centre for late-stage global medicines development.
AstraZeneca said last month that it would cut 8,000 jobs by 2014 as part of a US$1.9bn restructuring as it faces falling sales from a loss of market exclusivity for drugs including Arimidex.
Of these cuts, approximately 3,500 will be in r&d, but after relocations, investment in new skills and further expansion of its biologics activities, the actual job losses in r&d could be around 1,800.
Anders Ekblom, executive vice president of development at AstraZeneca said the drugmaker"a commitment to investing in innovative r&d is "as clear as ever".
"We have made real strides in improving our efficiency in recent years, but there is a continuing need to adapt our organisation in anticipation of future challenges. These proposed changes will help us create a more focused, innovative and productive company," he said.