GSK PLC (LSE:GSK, NYSE:GSK) is set to restructure its research division, impacting scientists in the UK, the US and Belgium, according to the Sunday Times.
The pharmaceutical giant aims to replace its unified research unit with specialised teams focusing on three key areas: vaccines and infectious diseases, respiratory and immunology, and oncology.
According to the Sunday Times, this move was communicated to staff via an email from GSK's chief scientific officer, Tony Wood.
Contrary to concerns about potential job losses, GSK anticipates "very few" redundancies as a result of this overhaul, the paper added.
The restructuring is part of GSK's broader strategy to accelerate drug discovery and research by aligning its teams more closely with its speciality areas. The company has been working to strengthen its research and development (R&D) capabilities amid concerns that its drug pipeline lags behind those of its competitors.
Since Dame Emma Walmsley took the helm as chief executive in 2017, R&D spending has surged by 40%.