In an effort to reduce its “cash burn rate,” Schrödinger on Tuesday announced it would part ways with 60 employees, corresponding to approximately 7% of its workforce. The company also announced that its chief financial officer, Geoffrey Porges, will step down from his role, effective June 6, until which time he will work with Schrödinger to ensure a smooth transition.
All entries for: Immune Diseases
May 21, 2025
Schrödinger
Layoffs
New York, NY
501-1,000 employees
Disease Area: Immune Diseases, Multiple, Neurological Diseases, Oncology
Drug Type: Biologic, Small Molecule
May 20, 2025
Prime Medicine
Discontinued Research, Layoffs
Cambridge, MA
201-500 employees
As part of a strategic restructuring that includes deprioritizing its chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) programs, Prime Medicine is cutting about 25% of its staff and saying goodbye to its CEO, who resigned, the company announced May 19. The Cambridge, Massachusetts–based biotech had 214 full-time employees as of Dec. 31, 2024, according to an SEC filing, meaning the layoffs could affect about 54 people.
Disease Area: Hematology, Immune Diseases, Metabolic Diseases, Multiple, Respiratory Diseases
Drug Type: Biologic
May 16, 2025
Allogene Therapeutics
Layoffs
South San Francisco, CA
201-500 employees
To extend its cash runway into the second half of 2027 and focus resources on clinical programs, San Francisco–based Allogene Therapeutics is laying off 28% of employees, according to a May 13 SEC filing. The biotech, which is developing allogeneic CAR T products for cancer and autoimmune disease, had 229 employees as of March 1, according to an earlier filing, meaning the cuts could involve around 64 people.
Disease Area: Immune Diseases, Multiple, Oncology
Drug Type: Biologic
May 15, 2025
Kyverna Therapeutics
Layoffs
Emeryville, CA
51-200 employees
Despite having what CEO Warner Biddle called an “exceptional start” to the year, Kyverna Therapeutics had to downsize by 16% in the first quarter. As of March 31, the biotech had 119 full-time employees, as per an SEC filing. The layoffs are part of Kyverna’s effort to “streamline” its operations and support the development of its late-stage pipeline, while also extending its cash runway into 2027, the biotech announced on Tuesday, alongside its first-quarter earnings report.
Disease Area: Immune Diseases, Multiple, Neurological Diseases, Rare Diseases
Drug Type: Biologic
May 14, 2025
Leap Therapeutics
Layoffs
Cambridge, MA
51-200 employees
Flagging what CEO Douglas Onsi called the “difficult market environment,” immune specialist Leap Therapeutics will lay off approximately half of its workforce. The biotech made the announcement alongside its first-quarter 2025 earnings report, where it posted a net loss of $15.4 million, falling further into the red compared to the same period in 2024, during which it was operating with a $13.8 million deficit. Leap pointed to heightened R&D expenses as the reason for the increase in its loss.
Disease Area: Immune Diseases, Multiple, Oncology
Drug Type: Biologic
May 14, 2025
Atara Biotherapeutics
Layoffs
Thousand Oaks, CA
201-500 employees
Atara Biotherapeutics continues to shed its staff, announcing on Monday that it will downsize by approximately 30%, leaving only 23 employees behind who are “essential to executing on the Company’s strategic priorities,” according to an SEC filing.
Disease Area: Hematology, Immune Diseases, Multiple, Oncology
Drug Type: Biologic
May 14, 2025
CalciMedica
Neutral Outlook
La Jolla, CA
1-50 employees
For example, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed by Congress authorizes the Secretary of the Department of HHS to negotiate prices directly with participating manufacturers for selected medicines covered by Medicare even if these medicines are protected by an existing patent. For small molecule medicines, the process begins seven years after initial approval by the FDA. While we do not believe that the IRA or its effects will impact our ability to obtain patents in the near future, we cannot be certain whether it will affect our patent strategy in the long run.
Disease Area: Chronic Disease, Gastrointestinal, Immune Diseases, Multiple, Respiratory Diseases
Drug Type: Biologic, Small Molecule
May 12, 2025
IGM Biosciences - Mountainview
Layoffs
Mountain View, CA
51-200 employees
Sanofi has turned its back on its partner IGM Biosciences, forcing the small California biotech to enact drastic strategic measures, including an 80% reduction in force. The company disclosed the layoffs—and the closure of most of its remaining lab and office facilities—in an SEC filing May 8. It noted that the moves would preserve cash. According to its annual report, IGM had 149 full-time employees at the end of 2024. In January, the biotech reduced its workforce by 100 people, corresponding to 73% of its headcount, leaving it with 37 full-time staff. The new cuts leave IGM with around seven employees.
Disease Area: Chronic Disease, Immune Diseases, Multiple
Drug Type: Biologic
May 9, 2025
HCW Biologics
Neutral Outlook
Miramar, FL
1-50 employees
For example, the provisions related to the negotiation of selling prices of high- expenditure single-source drugs and biologics have been challenged in multiple lawsuits brought by pharmaceutical manufacturers. Thus, while it is unclear how the IRA will be implemented, it will likely have a significant impact on the pharmaceutical industry.
Disease Area: Cardiology, Chronic Disease, Immune Diseases, Multiple, Neurological Diseases, Oncology
Drug Type: Biologic
May 9, 2025
Vor Bio
Layoffs
Cambridge, MA
51-200 employees
Vor Bio is bowing out amid a tough funding environment after examining the clinical data currently available for its assets. The company will let go of 147 employees, or 95% of its staff, and expects to complete the layoffs by the end of the second quarter, according to an SEC filing.
Disease Area: Hematology, Immune Diseases, Multiple
Drug Type: Biologic
