AbbVie, Novartis slash US headcount

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The following is a run down of the latest job cuts in the biopharma industry during May 2026.

Novartis
May 22

Novartis is continuing to trim its workforce in the U.S., letting go of 76 employees in East Hanover, New Jersey, according to a Worker adjustment and retraining notification (WARN) alert for the state. The layoffs will take effect on Aug. 21.

This will be the third time this year that Novartis downsized its New Jersey operations. The first batch of layoffs was announced in March, affecting 114 employees set to take effect from June 26 through Nov. 27. The second hit came a month later, with 60 jobs projected to be cut from July 24 through Nov. 20.

Novartis earlier this month also announced that it would close down a production site in Germany by the end of 2028, eliminating 220 jobs in the process.

AbbVie
May 22

AbbVie’s operations in Irvine, California, will be 85 employees leaner after July 20, with layoffs projected to take place on that date, according to a Worker adjustment and retraining notification (WARN) alert.

The pharma has over 40 open posts available in California, including data science and biologics product development listings. A recent BioSpace report found that AbbVie CEO Robert Michael saw a 76% pay bump, with his total compensation package reaching $32.5 million last year as compared to $18.5 million in 2024.

As per BioSpace’s tally, this is the first time AbbVie has announced layoffs this year.

Novartis
May 15

Novartis is letting go of “a select number” of employees within its biomedical research organization, a company spokesperson confirmed to BioSpace in an emailed statement.

“Novartis continually assesses opportunities to support our growth strategy as a focused innovative medicines company,” the statement read. “We regularly evaluate our organizational setup to ensure it remains aligned with evolving priorities.”

The cuts are the latest in a series of made or projected layoffs at Novartis this year that in total affect nearly 400 employees. Earlier this month, the Swiss pharma announced plans to shutter a production facility in Wehr, Germany, by the end of 2028. Novartis expects that closure will eliminate 220 jobs. In March and April, the pharma disclosed between two Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notices that it will let go of 174 employees in East Hanover, New Jersey. Of those cuts, layoffs affecting 114 people are effective June 26 through Nov. 27, while those impacting 60 staffers run from July 24 through Nov. 20.

Takeda
May 15

To cut back on costs, Takeda is rolling out a sweeping “transformation program” that will streamline corporate operations and see some 4,500 employees let go in fiscal year 2026, according to an earnings presentation. That number represents less than 10% of total roles globally and does not reflect hiring plans, a company spokesperson told BioSpace in an emailed response on May 13.

“Right now, we have 2,200 open roles globally and we expect to create new jobs throughout the year, which we are prioritizing filling with internal candidates,” the spokesperson said.

The layoffs will look different across the organization and will be phased according to unique business needs and country requirements, according to the spokesperson. They confirmed that the cuts include an estimated 247 roles in Massachusetts and 387 in other states outlined in a March Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice.

Valneva
May 14

Specialty vaccine maker Valneva will trim its global workforce by 10% to 15% as it focuses resources on its base business and key strategic projects, the biotech announced May 13. The France-based company had 674 employees globally, including 22 in Bethesda, Maryland, as of Dec. 31, according to an SEC filing, meaning the layoffs could affect roughly 67 to 101 people.

Valneva expects the cuts will reduce 2026 operating expenses by 25% to 35% when compared to 2025.

The restructuring comes as the biotech reports a Q1 revenue decline. Total revenue was 30.9 million euros ($36.1 million), down from 49.2 million euros ($57.6 million) in the first quarter of 2025. Valneva attributed the dip in part to a planned winddown of third-party sales. The company also noted it is adjusting down its 2026 sales and revenue guidance in part because of “an emerging adverse trend in travel vaccine uptake across key markets, driven by geopolitical factors.” Valneva is revising the product sales guidance range from between 145 million euros and 160 million euros ($170 million to $187 million) to between 135 million euros and 150 million euros ($158 million to $174 million).

Amicus Therapeutics
May 13

Just two weeks after being completely absorbed into BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Amicus Therapeutics is letting go of 58 employees from its headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) alert for the state. The layoffs will start on Aug. 7 and will run through Oct. 30 of this year.

A company spokesperson confirmed to Fierce Pharma that the job cuts are linked to the BioMarin acquisition. “As with any integration of this scale, we are carefully evaluating how to align our long-term success,” the spokesperson said. “This process has resulted in headcount reductions, particularly in areas where there is overlap.”

BioMarin moved to acquire Amicus in December 2025 for $4.8 billion.

Gilead Sciences
May 8

In the wake of closing its $7.8 billion Arcellx acquisition last week, Gilead Sciences is gutting the biotech’s workforce in California and Maryland, laying off 192 employees total. Given Arcellx had 220 employees as of March 1, according to an SEC filing last month, the cuts are likely wiping out 87% of the staff.

The largest cuts are happening at the biotech’s headquarters in Redwood City, California. Gilead is letting go of 108 employees at that site effective June 30, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice. The pharma is also laying off 84 people in Rockville, Maryland. Those cuts are taking place over a longer period, from June 30, 2026, to April 30, 2027, according to a WARN notice.

Both notices were dated April 30, two days after Gilead announced it had completed its acquisition of Arcellx, making the biotech a wholly owned subsidiary.

Read the full list from BioSpace’s layoff tracker.

May 22, 2026/by BioSpaceTags: job cuts, layoffs, restructuring