Pharmaceutical behemoth GSK has confirmed plans to cut up to approximately 350 research and development roles across its operations in the United Kingdom and the United States. This move forms part of a continuing strategic overhaul within the division, aimed at streamlining operations and reallocating resources.
Impact on UK Operations
Initial reports indicate that around 50 positions have already been identified for elimination at the company's primary UK research and development centre located in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. However, further job losses are anticipated across Britain and at GSK's US facilities as the wider restructuring programme progresses.
Background of the Restructuring
The FTSE 100-listed firm initiated a significant transformation five years ago, merging its vaccines and speciality medicines operations. This was accompanied by the spin-off of its consumer healthcare business, which subsequently listed independently as Haleon in 2022. Since these changes, GSK has been systematically reducing duplicated roles as part of its ongoing R&D evolution.
GSK, which employs roughly 12,000 staff within its global research and development network, has not disclosed the precise total number of UK jobs that will be affected in this latest round of cuts. The company has emphasised that these reductions are occurring alongside a substantial increase in its overall R&D investment.
Investment Amidst Cuts
A spokesperson for GSK stated: "GSK R&D investment has risen by almost 90% over recent years – to £6.4 billion in 2024 – and we expect it to increase further as we focus on delivering our pipeline of new medicines with multi-blockbuster potential before 2031."
The spokesperson added: "As we increase investment, we're focused on allocating resources to these priorities and making sure we have the right people in the right teams." The firm also highlighted its commitment to "investing in technology to maximise our scientific capabilities and drive productivity, and in our key R&D sites over the next five years to accelerate drug discovery and research."
Leadership Transition
These job cuts coincide with a recent leadership change at the helm of the company. New chief executive Luke Miels assumed the role from Dame Emma Walmsley at the beginning of this year. Mr Miels, formerly the chief commercial officer at GSK with worldwide responsibility for medicines and vaccines, is preparing to present the group's annual results this Wednesday. This will mark his first set of financial figures since taking on the top executive position.
Despite the workforce reductions, GSK insists it remains committed to ramping up its research and development investment within the United Kingdom. The company reported spending more than £1.5 billion in the UK last year alone, underscoring its continued focus on innovation and drug development in the region.
