Below is AstraZeneca's statement about the Loughborough plant closure. Note the lack of information about the number of jobs affected, despite it meaning the loss of 1,200 posts in the town.AstraZeneca today shared with its employees further details of proposals designed to improve the productivity of its global research and development organisation. The proposed changes, first outlined at the end of January, include focusing research efforts on a smaller number of disease areas and consolidating activities onto a reduced global footprint through the merger of some sites. Some of our sites will close.
AstraZeneca will continue to invest in research and development in all of its current therapy areas (Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, Oncology, Respiratory, Inflammation, Neuroscience and Infection). However, within those broader therapy areas, AstraZeneca intends to cease discovery efforts in the following specific diseases: thrombosis (Cardiovascular); acid reflux (Gastrointestinal); ovarian and bladder cancers (Oncology); systemic scleroderma (Inflammation); schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety (Neuroscience); hepatitis C and vaccines other than respiratory syncytial virus and influenza (Infection).
As a result of this disease area focus and the creation of new Innovative Medicines Units and a Global Medicines Development function, AstraZeneca has proposed the merger or closure of some R&D sites over the next few years. AstraZeneca currently has 17 principal R&D centres in eight countries in Europe, North America and Asia.
Subject to consultation, the main changes are as follows:
UK
· AstraZeneca’s research and development site at Charnwood in Leicestershire and a smaller facility, acquired with Kudos, in Cambridge, will close.
· The company is interested in selling its Arrow Therapeutics business, which occupies a small facility in London.
· Pharmaceutical development work at the Avlon facility near Bristol will cease with some roles transferring to Macclesfield or Alderley Park in Cheshire. Manufacturing at Avlon will continue.
· The number of people working in R&D at Alderley Park, the company’s largest UK R&D site, will increase as employees transfer from other sites.
Sweden
· AstraZeneca’s research site in Lund will close.
· The Mölndal research and development facility will grow to accommodate Respiratory and Inflammation research activities to be transferred from the Lund and Charnwood sites.
US and Canada
· At AstraZeneca’s facility in Wilmington, Delaware, early-stage discovery research will be stopped and related activities will be significantly reduced. Some roles will transfer to other sites. Wilmington will continue to be a centre for late-stage Global Medicines Development.
· The company’s facilities in Boston, Massachusetts will see some growth as employees transfer from other sites.
As previously disclosed, AstraZeneca estimates approximately 3,500 R&D positions will be affected by these changes by 2014. After taking account of relocations to other sites, investment in new capabilities and further expansion of the company’s biologics activities, a net reduction of around 1,800 positions across R&D is expected. Whenever possible, AstraZeneca will make efforts to lessen the impact by re-skilling, re-deploying and, in some cases, offering relocation to affected employees. Consultation is ongoing.
Anders Ekblom, Executive Vice President of Development at AstraZeneca said:
“AstraZeneca’s strategic commitment to investing in innovative research and development 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.
“I am also acutely aware that these proposed changes will have a significant impact on our people and we are committed to providing support to them.”
AstraZeneca will continue to invest in research and development in all of its current therapy areas (Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, Oncology, Respiratory, Inflammation, Neuroscience and Infection). However, within those broader therapy areas, AstraZeneca intends to cease discovery efforts in the following specific diseases: thrombosis (Cardiovascular); acid reflux (Gastrointestinal); ovarian and bladder cancers (Oncology); systemic scleroderma (Inflammation); schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and anxiety (Neuroscience); hepatitis C and vaccines other than respiratory syncytial virus and influenza (Infection).
As a result of this disease area focus and the creation of new Innovative Medicines Units and a Global Medicines Development function, AstraZeneca has proposed the merger or closure of some R&D sites over the next few years. AstraZeneca currently has 17 principal R&D centres in eight countries in Europe, North America and Asia.
Subject to consultation, the main changes are as follows:
UK
· AstraZeneca’s research and development site at Charnwood in Leicestershire and a smaller facility, acquired with Kudos, in Cambridge, will close.
· The company is interested in selling its Arrow Therapeutics business, which occupies a small facility in London.
· Pharmaceutical development work at the Avlon facility near Bristol will cease with some roles transferring to Macclesfield or Alderley Park in Cheshire. Manufacturing at Avlon will continue.
· The number of people working in R&D at Alderley Park, the company’s largest UK R&D site, will increase as employees transfer from other sites.
Sweden
· AstraZeneca’s research site in Lund will close.
· The Mölndal research and development facility will grow to accommodate Respiratory and Inflammation research activities to be transferred from the Lund and Charnwood sites.
US and Canada
· At AstraZeneca’s facility in Wilmington, Delaware, early-stage discovery research will be stopped and related activities will be significantly reduced. Some roles will transfer to other sites. Wilmington will continue to be a centre for late-stage Global Medicines Development.
· The company’s facilities in Boston, Massachusetts will see some growth as employees transfer from other sites.
As previously disclosed, AstraZeneca estimates approximately 3,500 R&D positions will be affected by these changes by 2014. After taking account of relocations to other sites, investment in new capabilities and further expansion of the company’s biologics activities, a net reduction of around 1,800 positions across R&D is expected. Whenever possible, AstraZeneca will make efforts to lessen the impact by re-skilling, re-deploying and, in some cases, offering relocation to affected employees. Consultation is ongoing.
Anders Ekblom, Executive Vice President of Development at AstraZeneca said:
“AstraZeneca’s strategic commitment to investing in innovative research and development 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.
“I am also acutely aware that these proposed changes will have a significant impact on our people and we are committed to providing support to them.”
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