NEW EVENT! Cutting-edge Trends for Life Sciences at PACK EXPO Southeast
Discover all the latest packaging solutions for life sciences products at the all-new PACK EXPO Southeast in Atlanta, GA, March 10-12, 2025

Workforce reductions in pharmaceuticals

New report from Global Business Intelligence says outsourcing, external innovation and collaboration will drive the industry forward.

Hp 20292 Gbi Logo
As the global economic crisis rolls on, cuts made in R&D and manufacturing within the pharmaceutical industry are affecting the way the sector looks at future development.

According to a new report from Global Business Intelligence Research, "major pharmaceutical companies are being forced to change tact in order to prosper in a continuingly strained industry. While these companies are addressing the issue of workforce reduction in different ways, a number of common tactics have emerged, including a greater focus on emerging markets, the outsourcing of activities regarding drug discovery, and the building of closer links with academic institutions."

"Workforce Reductions in Pharmaceuticals-Outsourcing, External Innovation and Collaboration Will Drive the Industry Forward," notes, "Firms are supporting this new emphasis on external productivity by setting up incubators on company premises to support emerging new companies and supporting life science research through the development of innovation funds and venture capital groups.

"The financial decline that followed the huge expansion enjoyed by global pharmaceutical companies in the 1990s and early 2000s has resulted in significantly weakened R&D budgets and numerous site closures. Since 2009, the U.S. has seen the closure of 18 R&D locations and the E.U. has seen the shutdown of 14. Notably, the UK has been particularly hard hit with the closure of six sites, representing 19% of the worldwide total.

"According to limited information attained from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturing Association's (PhRMA) 2008 and 2009 Annual Membership Surveys, personnel cuts have hit all areas of R&D, with the exception of Phase II research. The results show that as these major pharmaceutical powers are forced to slice large chunks from a vital area, resources are being focused on improving the information available at the proof-of-concept stage while allowing less promising projects to be terminated early."

The new report focuses on managing staff during the redundancy process and managing site closures. It also investigates the future outlook for the industry and highlights where the best job opportunities lie. The report contains analysis of site closures across the globe and review of the sale and repurposing of ex-pharmaceutical R&D sites. It also reviews the new strategies being adopted by the pharmaceutical industry to fuel their future growth and future success.

Published in June 2012, the report is $3,500 for a single-user license, $7,000 for a site license, $10,500 for a global license, More information is available.
INTRODUCING! The Latest Trends for Life Sciences at PACK EXPO Southeast
The exciting new PACK EXPO Southeast 2025 unites all vertical markets in one dynamic hub, generating more innovative answers to packaging challenges for life sciences products. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity for your business!
Read More
INTRODUCING! The Latest Trends for Life Sciences at PACK EXPO Southeast