Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) has said it will lay off more than half of its employees at a UK-based scientific research centre.
The company intends to make cuts to its 940-strong workforce at Discovery Park in Sandwich, which will involve losing 500 members of staff, according to reports.
Pfizer has had a presence in Sandwich since 1954 at the research site, where it made historical discoveries for drugs such as Viagra, HIV medicine Celsentri, and antifungal Diflucan, it says on its website.
The research site at Sandwich is dedicated largely to small molecule pharmaceutical science, and is involved in developing its late-stage clinical portfolio as well as drugs that are earlier in the development timeline.
The headcount reduction follows Pfizer’s announcement that it will consolidate certain business areas.
Despite plans to cut its workforce nearly by half, Pfizer reportedly said it would keep a “scientific presence” at the location.
A spokesman for the company said that the changes would be brought in as part of an efficiency drive and that staff would be consulted about the changes.