Plainsboro, New Jersey, October 11, 2025
News Summary
The biopharma industry faces significant layoffs as companies announce workforce reductions to cut costs and refocus priorities. Novo Nordisk leads with a global reduction of approximately 9,000 jobs, while Ferring Pharmaceuticals and other firms also trim their staff. These changes, affecting critical operations and research programs, signify a broader trend within the sector seeking efficiency amid financial strains. The wave of layoffs comes as firms strive to extend cash runways and consolidate resources.
Plainsboro, New Jersey — Major layoffs swept the biopharma industry in the second half of 2025 as a wide range of companies announced workforce reductions and strategic reorganizations aimed at cutting costs, refocusing pipelines and extending cash runways. The cascade of job cuts includes large-scale global reductions and smaller, program-specific trims that together reflect broad pressure across the sector.
Top-line summary
Companies across the sector enacted staff cuts in late 2025, with some of the largest moves including Novo Nordisk laying off approximately 9,000 employees globally, Ferring Pharmaceuticals announcing layoffs of up to 500 employees, and a range of biotech firms reducing headcount by 20% to 75% as they reshape priorities. The changes affect manufacturing, research and development, and corporate functions and include facility closures and program discontinuations.
Key layoffs and company actions
Ferring Pharmaceuticals: Announced layoffs of up to 500 employees (approximately 7% of its workforce) as part of a strategy to sharpen focus and gain flexibility. The company has 7,500 staff globally.
Ascidian Therapeutics: Implemented modest layoffs over the summer to realign focus on lead program ACDN-01 for Stargardt disease.
Novo Nordisk: Laid off approximately 9,000 employees (11% of its workforce) globally to generate $1.25 billion in annual savings through 2026. The cuts have significantly impacted its manufacturing operation, particularly in Clayton, North Carolina.
Pharming: Announced a 20% workforce reduction, potentially impacting 81 employees, with plans to save $10 million annually.
Mythic Therapeutics: Cut an unspecified number of employees as part of a focus shift towards advancing lead program MYTX-011 in oncology.
CSL Vifor: Will lay off 55 employees effective December 1, 2025, among reductions connected to a broader business restructure.
Bolt Biotherapeutics: Announced a 50% workforce reduction, affecting around 20 employees, in an effort to extend its operations into 2027.
Takeda: Laid off 137 employees during a shift away from cell therapies, with a strategic focus on reallocation of resources towards more promising areas.
GSK: Let go of 8 employees at its San Francisco facility, continuing a trend of reductions including 150 earlier in Cambridge due to operational shifts.
IO Biotech: Laid off approximately 50% of its staff (39 employees) following FDA concerns regarding insufficient data for its cancer vaccine application.
KALA Bio: Cut 51% of its workforce (19 employees) after unsuccessful mid-stage trials for its eye therapy KPI-012.
Sutro Biopharma: Planned to reduce its workforce by one-third, with prior layoffs of 50% earlier in the year.
Biogen: Discontinued work on adeno-associated virus-based gene therapies, resulting in layoffs affecting approximately 20 employees.
Heidelberg Pharma: Announced layoffs of 75% of its workforce (up to 92 employees) following unmet conditions for a $70 million royalty payment.
Rising Pharmaceuticals: Closed two facilities, resulting in layoffs of about 95 employees, beginning November 15.
Rome Therapeutics: Close to layoffs of an undisclosed number of employees as part of a strategic review amidst challenging conditions.
Seres Therapeutics: Reducing 25% of its workforce in anticipation of cash runway extension.
Arvinas: Expected to lay off 15% of employees (approximately 45) in cost optimization and reorganizing efforts.
Bristol Myers Squibb: Plans to lay off 282 employees in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, amidst ongoing cost-cutting measures aiming at $3.5 billion in savings.
Novo Nordisk (again): Laid off 263 employees from its U.S. headquarters in Plainsboro, New Jersey as part of the global 9,000 person reduction plan.
Arsenal Biosciences: Cutting its workforce by 50% to focus on developing investigational cell therapies.
X4 Pharmaceuticals: Implemented a 50% workforce reduction as part of a strategic overhaul.
Innate Pharma: Laid off 30% of its employees to focus on high-potential pipeline assets; 54 laid off from a workforce of 181.
Merck: Laid off 125 employees in the UK, citing challenges in the life sciences sector; the company also expects further layoffs as part of a $3 billion cost-cutting initiative.
Takeda (again): Noted layoffs will take place from January through July 2026 as part of a strategic exit from cell therapy development.
Adaptimmune Therapeutics: Expected to cut roughly 62% of its workforce following an asset sale as part of a strategic realignment.
4D Molecular Therapeutics: Reducing workforce by 25% in a bid to realign resources more effectively.
Other companies like Appia Bio, Generation Bio, Sarcos, and Bayer also indicated staff cuts amidst a turbulent financial environment, emphasizing the overall trend in the biopharma sector towards consolidation and efficiency amidst funding challenges.
Impact and immediate implications
The reductions span large multinational firms and smaller biotech companies, affecting manufacturing hubs, research programs and corporate units. Several layoffs are tied directly to program failures or regulatory setbacks, while others are presented as cost-saving responses to market conditions. Facility closures and planned reductions through early 2026 indicate many firms are seeking near-term savings while reallocating resources to prioritized projects.
Background context
The wave of cuts in late 2025 follows an extended period of investment in biologics and specialized therapies, rising development costs, and tighter capital markets for smaller biotech companies. Some firms are concentrating on fewer late-stage candidates, while larger corporations are pursuing multi-year cost-savings plans. The mix of program-based reductions, facility closures and broad reorganizations underscores a sector-wide recalibration of risk, cost and portfolio strategy.
FAQ
Which company laid off approximately 9,000 employees globally?
Novo Nordisk: Laid off approximately 9,000 employees (11% of its workforce) globally to generate $1.25 billion in annual savings through 2026. The cuts have significantly impacted its manufacturing operation, particularly in Clayton, North Carolina.
Which company announced layoffs of up to 500 employees?
Ferring Pharmaceuticals: Announced layoffs of up to 500 employees (approximately 7% of its workforce) as part of a strategy to sharpen focus and gain flexibility. The company has 7,500 staff globally.
Which company announced a 20% workforce reduction potentially impacting 81 employees?
Pharming: Announced a 20% workforce reduction, potentially impacting 81 employees, with plans to save $10 million annually.
Which company laid off approximately 50% of its staff (39 employees)?
IO Biotech: Laid off approximately 50% of its staff (39 employees) following FDA concerns regarding insufficient data for its cancer vaccine application.
Which company closed two facilities, resulting in layoffs of about 95 employees?
Rising Pharmaceuticals: Closed two facilities, resulting in layoffs of about 95 employees, beginning November 15.
Useful information table
| Company | Layoff details | Percentage or number | Notes / Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferring Pharmaceuticals | Announced layoffs of up to 500 employees | Approximately 7% of its workforce | The company has 7,500 staff globally |
| Novo Nordisk | Laid off approximately 9,000 employees | 11% of its workforce | Global; manufacturing affected particularly in Clayton, North Carolina; 263 laid off from U.S. HQ in Plainsboro, New Jersey |
| Pharming | Announced a workforce reduction | 20% (potentially 81 employees) | Plans to save $10 million annually |
| IO Biotech | Laid off staff following FDA concerns | Approximately 50% (39 employees) | Linked to insufficient data for cancer vaccine application |
| KALA Bio | Cut workforce | 51% (19 employees) | After unsuccessful mid-stage trials for KPI-012 |
| Heidelberg Pharma | Announced layoffs of up to 92 employees | 75% of its workforce | Following unmet conditions for a $70 million royalty payment |
| Bristol Myers Squibb | Plans workforce reductions | 282 employees | In Lawrenceville, New Jersey; part of $3.5 billion savings goal |
| Rising Pharmaceuticals | Closed two facilities; layoffs | About 95 employees | Layoffs beginning November 15 |
| Innate Pharma | Laid off employees to focus pipeline | 30% (54 employees) | Workforce of 181 prior to reductions |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- BioSpace Layoff Tracker
- Wikipedia: Biotechnology
- Fierce Biotech Layoffs Report
- Google Search: biopharma layoffs 2025
- PharmaVoice on Biopharma Layoffs
- Google Scholar: biopharma layoffs
- MassLive on Biopharma Employer Layoffs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pharmaceutical Industry
- PharmExec Layoffs Overview
- Google News: 2025 biopharma industry layoffs
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