Roche cuts 225 more jobs in California, US
According to a filing published by the State of California’s Employment Development Department, Roche subsidiary Genentech will permanently lay off 225 workers from its plant in South Mateo County.
The restructure is Genentech’s second in nine months. In November last year, the firm announced plans to eliminate 130 jobs at a biomanufacturing plant in Vacaville, California.
This latest round of cuts was prompted by an evaluation of Genentech’s operations, a Roche spokesperson told us.
“As a result of this process, we have made the difficult decision to eliminate some positions across multiple departments at the South San Francisco site. Approximately, 225 positions may be impacted.
“We greatly appreciate the significant contributions of those impacted by these changes and will support them through this transition with financial benefits, extended healthcare coverage, and career coaching,” she added.
US FDA silver lining?
This “difficult decision” comes as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided to grant Genentech breakthrough therapy designation for food allergy product Xolair (omalizumab).
The firm also recently announced the development of the first eye implant for wet age-related macular degeneration, which it also hopes to market in the US.
