Pharma has laid off thousands in H1 2025

This year has been a rollercoaster for the pharmaceutical industry, and at this point, it’s unclear whether the ride is about to stop or if we’re at the top of another drop.

The industry overall has posted mixed earnings so far, with companies performing better than expected in some categories but falling short in others, Healthcare Brew previously reported.

So, though we regularly do roundups of people being appointed to new positions, this time we’re filling you in on some of 2025’s pharma layoffs so far.

Bayer. The Germany-based pharmaceutical company laid off about 2,000 employees worldwide in Q1, BioSpace reported in May.

Bristol Myers Squibb. The New Jersey-based company is laying off 516 employees in Lawrenceville, according to a May notice filed with the state. This is the third round of layoffs it has reported in Lawrenceville this year, bringing the total number of terminated—or planned to be terminated—employees to 806 as of May 5.

Pfizer. The New York-based pharma giant laid off 56 workers in its San Diego office, effective June 2, according to Fierce Biotech.

Moderna. Fierce Pharma reported in February that Moderna had eliminated 10% of roles, about 50 people, across two digital departments. A former employee alleged to the Boston Globe there have been more layoffs this year that were not publicly disclosed. A company spokesperson reportedly told the Globe the company had no comment.

Roche. Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche has axed hundreds of roles this year, including 143 at its San Francisco-based subsidiary Genentech, as originally reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, and 108 at its molecular systems division in Santa Clara, according to state documents.

Merck & Co. The Rahway, New Jersey-based company gave notice to the Pennsylvania government that it’s closing its Montour County manufacturing site, cutting 163 positions starting in May and ending sometime in 2026.

Teva Pharmaceuticals. The Israel-based company will lay off about 2,400 people by 2027—8% of its 30,000 employees—as part of a broader restructuring effort, according to an earnings presentation reported on by Fierce Pharma in May.