Novartis has announced that “it will initiate consultation on proposals to close” its respiratory R&D center in Horsham, UK. According to Novartis, the potential closing will affect “up to 371 roles” at the site, plus 170 contractors. The company also said that it is also withdrawing support for COPD products in the UK.
In August 2012, the company reaffirmed its commitment to retaining its respiratory research center which opened in Horsham in 2001. Novartis laid off more than 500 employees at Horsham in 2011 but kept the respiratory center.
In an interview with a local newspaper, Novartis UK Country President Sue Webb said, “The work that the Horsham site has done over many years is exceptionally good; this decision is nothing to do with the quality of that work. Some of that respiratory work that is currently being done will be moved to other locations throughout the world.”
Read the Novartis statement.
View the interview with Sue Webb.
