Pharmaceutical firm Sanofi axes 450 Newcastle UK jobs
March 14th, 2012 // 12:36 pm @ jmpickett
French-based Sanofi, which specialises in vaccine development and diabetes treatments, said the posts were going at its facility in Fawdon, Newcastle.
The company, which briefed staff about the decision on Wednesday morning, said the drug manufacturing plant would close down in 2015.
The company blamed the closure on the growing use of low-cost generic drugs and the European economic downturn.
‘Fall in demand’
A company statement said: “Under the proposal the plant, which makes solid dose oral medications mainly for UK and European markets, would be scheduled to close by mid-2015.
“The proposal is being considered in the context of an adverse economic climate and the challenging pharmaceutical market in Europe.
“The products manufactured at the Fawdon site have been adversely impacted by other factors, including generic competition, resulting in a fall in demand and production volumes.”
A spokesman said consultations had begun with staff.
The firm employs about 1,800 people in the UK, including 300 at its UK headquarters in Guildford.
