Layoffs
DOVER, Del. (AP) - AstraZeneca PLC says it is cutting 1,200 jobs at its U.S. headquarters in Wilmington.
The pharmaceutical company said Monday that the cuts are part of a global restructuring of its research and development centers, to be completed by 2016. AstraZeneca says it is concentrating small molecule and biologics R&D activities in Gaithersburg, Md., Cambridge, England and Mölndal, Sweden.
AstraZeneca says the exit of it global medicines development group from Wilmington and the relocation of global marketing and U.S. specialty care commercial roles will result in about 1,200 job cuts in Wilmington. But Wilmington will remain the company's North America commercial headquarters, with about 2,000 employees.
Gov. Jack Markell's office says it's not easy to hear that people will lose their jobs but that state officials understand the challenges AstraZeneca faces.
Senator Tom Carper
Senator Tom Carper called the Astra-Zeneca announcement “a body blow” to the state and the company’s many employees who reside in the state.
The Delaware Democrat noted that as governor he led the effort to convince the firm to bring its North American headquarters to the state.
He said this makes the company’s decision all the harder with the elimination of 650 positions and the departure of another 500 jobs to other locations.
However, Delaware’s senior Senator said he was glad that the drug firm had decided against shutting down the headquarters thus ensuring that 2,300 jobs will remain in the First State.
Carper added that he would be working with the state’s Congressional Delegation to attract other businesses to find employers for those who are losing their jobs.
Senator Chris Coons
Meanwhile, Senator Chris Coons issued a statement saying that he was disappointed in the loss of the job in these challenging times.
The Delaware Democrat said he was committed to do whatever he could to ease the problems that will now face those who will lose their positions.
Coons added that there was an array of innovative companies that could benefit from their talents.
