GSK proposes up to 1,217 role reductions in Belgium

GSK has proposed changes that put up to 1,217 employees in Belgium at risk, according to Fierce Biotech. The reported reductions span research and development, manufacturing and support functions and form part of the company’s global cost-saving strategy.

Fierce Biotech reported that the Belgium restructuring is tied to GSK’s accelerating growth strategy, announced in July. GSK was seeking 1.9 billion pounds in annual cost savings by 2029 to fund the program, the publisher reported.

Belgian vaccine sites are affected

Belgium is home to three main GSK vaccines sites: Gemboux, focused on vaccine storage; Wavre, which includes the vaccines division headquarters and manufacturing site; and Rixensart, the company’s historic center for vaccine research and development, according to Fierce Biotech.

GSK employs around 8,500 people across Belgium, Fierce Biotech reported. The publisher said over-capacity in GSK’s Belgian vaccine supply chain is among the reasons behind the proposed reductions.

The company’s vaccine portfolio includes Shingrix, Bexsero and Menveo, according to Fierce Biotech. The proposed manufacturing reductions are intended to align the organization and industrial capacity with evolving global demand for certain vaccines, while global support functions are set to be simplified.

Program shifts resources toward pipeline priorities

Fierce Biotech reported that the restructuring of research and development roles in Belgium is designed to focus resources on priority pipeline projects. A GSK spokesperson told the publisher that the proposed changes are part of a three-year global program to simplify the organization and reallocate capital and resources toward its late-stage pipeline of medicines, vaccines and research and development.

Belgium is the second country where GSK has restructured its footprint under the cost-savings initiative, Fierce Biotech reported. Changes to support functions in Poland began last month.

Developments to follow

• Changes across GSK vaccine storage, manufacturing and research operations in Belgium.
• Resource allocation toward priority pipeline projects and late-stage medicines and vaccines.
• Further organizational changes connected with GSK’s global cost-savings program.

Fierce Biotech reported that GSK’s program combines organizational simplification with capital and resource reallocation toward its stated medicines, vaccines and research priorities.