We cannot be sure whether additional legislation related to the IRA will be issued or enacted, or what impact, if any, such changes will have on the profitability of any of our drug candidates, if approved for commercial use, in the future. There also may be future changes unrelated to the IRA that result in reductions in potential coverage and reimbursement levels for our product candidates, if approved and commercialized, and we cannot predict the scope of any future changes or the impact that those changes would have on our operations.
All entries for: Oncology
June 12, 2026
Genentech
Layoffs
South San Francisco, CA
10,000+ employees
Genentech has made changes to its research and early development group (gRED) that include parting ways with a high-profile executive who had been with the company since 1997. The South San Franciso–based biotech confirmed to BioSpace the “targeted adjustments” and departure of Vishva Dixit, who most recently served as vice president and senior fellow, physiological chemistry, research biology.
The restructuring is intended to ensure the Roche subsidiary’s capabilities and investments align with its core therapeutic areas, advance its portfolio and deliver transformative medicines to patients faster, according to Genentech. A spokesperson declined to share specific information about the layoffs, including how many employees were affected.
Endpoints News reported that Genentech is closing infectious disease and physiological chemistry units while downsizing other teams. Also, in addition to Dixit, other key departures include Todd McDevitt, vice president and head of cell therapy, and Man-Wah Tan, a vice president and senior fellow of infectious diseases, the media outlet reported.
Disease Area: Dermatology, Immune Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Multiple, Oncology, Rare Diseases, Respiratory Diseases
Drug Type: Biologic, Small Molecule
June 2, 2026
Merck
Layoffs
Rahway, NJ
10,000+ employees
Merck is again sending employees packing in Rahway, New Jersey. The pharma is laying off 88 employees at its location there effective Sept. 4, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice. Last year, Merck disclosed it was letting go of 262 employees in Rahway over two rounds of cuts, one of which took effect this year.
In August 2025, the pharma divulged it was laying off 58 people at that site on Nov. 14. The news came shortly after Merck confirmed that its $3 billion cost-cutting move could affect about 6,000 employees as part of a multiyear process. In November, the pharma disclosed it would let go of 204 staffers in Rahway from Feb. 20 through May 11.
In February 2026, Merck then disclosed in a WARN notice that it would lay off 154 employees in Durham, North Carolina, on May 1.
Disease Area: Cardiovascular, Infectious Diseases, Multiple, Oncology, Respiratory Diseases
Drug Type: Biologic, Small Molecule
May 27, 2026
Johnson & Johnson
Layoffs
New Brunswick, NJ
10,000+ employees
New Jersey’s job market is taking another hit, this time from pharma giant Johnson & Johnson, which is parting ways with 56 employees in New Brunswick, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act posting for the state. The layoffs will take effect on August 21.
This is J&J’s first announced workforce reduction of this year, according to a tally by BioSpace. But the pharma has for years been constantly reshaping its business to accommodate the loss of exclusivity of its autoimmune disease powerhouse Stelara—a campaign that has involved cutting back investments in other parts of its business, while putting more money into higher-value areas like cancer.
Other Big Pharma players to recently slash their New Jersey headcounts include Novartis, Bristol Myers Squibb and Novo Nordisk.
Disease Area: Immune Diseases, Multiple, Neurological Diseases, Oncology
Drug Type: Biologic, Small Molecule
May 22, 2026
AbbVie
Layoffs
North Chicago, IL
10,000+ employees
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) Act 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.
Disease Area: Dermatology, Gastrointestinal, Multiple, Neurological Diseases, Oncology
Drug Type: Biologic, Small Molecule
May 15, 2026
Novartis
Layoffs
Basel, Baselstadt
10,000+ employees
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.
Disease Area: Cardiovascular, Dermatology, Immune Diseases, Multiple, Oncology
Drug Type: Biologic, Small Molecule
May 15, 2026
Takeda
Layoffs
Tokyo
10,000+ employees
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.
Disease Area: Dermatology, Immune Diseases, Multiple, Neurological Diseases, Oncology, Rare Diseases
Drug Type: Biologic, Small Molecule
May 14, 2026
SUTRO BIOPHARMA, INC.
Neutral Outlook
South San Francisco, CA
201-500 employees
Thus, while it is unclear how the IRA will be implemented, it will likely have a significant impact on the pharmaceutical industry and our product candidates.
Disease Area: Oncology, Rare Diseases
Drug Type: Biologic, Small Molecule