UCB, the biopharmaceutical company, has announced the closure of its
Cambridge research and development site at Granta Park, Abington, with
the loss of 146 jobs expected from the site over the next six months.
The closure is part of a move to a ‘hub’ model for Discovery Research across the global organisation, which will see UCB focus on two key, rather than three, Discovery Research sites based in Slough and Braine-l’Alleud in Belgium.
UCB is investing £25 million in additional laboratory facilities at the Slough site, which remains the company’s global R & D headquarters.
All R & D activities will cease there within the next six months and the closure of the site will affect 146 people at the Cambridge site and includes 123 directly involved in R & D plus 23 in non-R & D roles.
UCB says the decision has been taken to ensure that its R & D activities are “most effective in an increasingly competitive operating environment.”
Dr Melanie Lee, UCB’s executive vice president, R & D, said: “It is with great regret that we announce the closure of our Cambridge R & D site. This decision has been taken to ensure that our R & D activities remain competitive in an increasingly demanding environment.
“This has been an extremely difficult decision for the Company to make and I would like to take this time to acknowledge the overwhelming commitment, support and expertise that has been provided from Cambridge over the last seven years.
“The staff have my deep appreciation for their contribution to UCB’s R & D success and my personal assurance that every effort will be made to ensure that those affected are fully supported through this process.”
Cambridge site Director, Dr Mark Bushfield, added: “Today our priority has been to convey this regrettable news to the staff in Cambridge. At this difficult time every endeavour will be made by the company to assist affected staff through the transitional period of the next few months.
“All affected staff will be advised on the opportunities that may be on offer within UCB as well as assistance in finding new employment elsewhere. As part of this we will now begin a formal 90 day consultation and this will involve the creation of an Employee Representative Forum.”
The closure of the Cambridge site will take place incrementally over the next six months, with UCB’s R & D activities at Granta Park concluding at the end of July 2008. At this stage, UCB is not able to provide any further details regarding the future of the site.
Along with the closure of the Cambridge site, UCB has also reviewed activities across the rest of the organisation. In Monheim, Germany, the Discovery Research group will close and the Non-Clinical Developmental Sciences group will be reduced, affecting 48 personnel.
UCB focuses on securing a leading position in severe disease categories. Employing around 12,000 people in over 40 countries, it achieved revenue of €3.5 billion (£2.6bn) in 2006 on a pro forma basis.
This Field is required | 
This Field IS visible on profile | 
This Field IS NOT visible on profile | 
Field description: Move mouse over icon
Registration 
The closure is part of a move to a ‘hub’ model for Discovery Research across the global organisation, which will see UCB focus on two key, rather than three, Discovery Research sites based in Slough and Braine-l’Alleud in Belgium.
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Delicious
Digg
NewsVine
Reddit
Technorati