Pharmaceutical giant Takeda is implementing a new round of job cuts in the United States as it prepares for the upcoming loss of market exclusivity for one of its key psychiatric medications.
Impact on the neuroscience sales force In a recent regulatory filing, Takeda disclosed the elimination of 243 field-based roles across 47 states. These employees are primarily engaged in the commercial operations of the company’s U.S. Neuroscience Business Unit. The primary driver behind this move is the looming patent expiration of the antidepressant Trintellix, scheduled for December this year.
The loss of exclusivity typically opens the market to low-cost generic competitors, necessitating a reduction in sales support for products that no longer hold a monopoly.
Strategic resource reallocation While these positions are being eliminated, Takeda frames the move as a “reprioritization of resources.” The company is currently preparing for several potential new medication launches in the U.S. market, which are expected to generate over 400 new commercial roles. Takeda noted that it is offering redeployment opportunities to some affected staff, meaning the final headcount reduction will depend on internal reassignments.
Broader restructuring context This latest workforce reduction is part of a multi-year efficiency program initiated in mid-2024:
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Countering generic competition: The company has been navigating declining sales of its ADHD treatment (Vyvanse), leading to a $900 million restructuring effort.
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Exit from non-core areas: Over the past year, Takeda has shuttered an R&D site in San Diego, exited the gene therapy manufacturing business in Austria, and scaled back its cell therapy operations in Massachusetts.
By streamlining its legacy neuroscience field force, Takeda aims to maintain profitability and pivot its commercial focus toward upcoming clinical assets with higher growth potential.
Source: https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/takeda-cuts-243-us-workers-generic-competition-looms-trintellix