Shire To Axe Jobs In UK

Shire announced that it has entered an employee consultation process at its Basingstoke site as part of its “One Shire” program. The restructuring will put more than 100 R&D jobs at risk as the company scales back on drug development with the aim of simplifying its business to focus on rare disease.

In a press statement, Phil Vickers, Shire’s head of R&D for Shire, said, “We understand this is a very difficult situation for those employees potentially affected by the proposed changes we have announced today in Basingstoke, and we are fully committed to supporting them during this consultation process. We firmly believe, however, that these steps are vital to Shire remaining a high growth business that continues to develop products that serve unmet patient need.”

Shire stated that Basingstoke will continue to be an important location for the company, particularly for the UK business. Shire also announced plans to re-locate its Swiss operations from Eysins to Zug, and is starting a consultation process with its employees in Eysins.

Adrian van den Hoven obtained his doctorate in political science from the University of Nice, France in 2000. He was previously deputy-director general of BUSINESSEUROPE, where his responsibilities included trade negotiations, bilateral relations as well as industrial, energy, environmental, and research policy in the International Relations and Industry Departments. He also has experience as an international relations researcher and an adjunct professor in Italy, France, and Canada.

Source: Shire