J&J makes big cuts at Alza and Scios

Two Bay area biotechs, Alza and Scios, are in line for some big layoffs as Johnson & Johnson slims down its pharma operations [1]. Acquired for $12 billion six years ago, J&J says that it is shutting down Alza's Mountain View facility and laying off 600 workers. J&J is largely ending the R&D efforts at Alza, which had been structured to tweak the pharma giant's therapies. The San Jose Mercury News also reported that Scios--which markets Natrecor [2]--has already seen the pink slips fly and more cuts are expected. Two other J&J companies working in medical devices are also expected to undergo significant restructuring.

- read the report [3] from the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)

Related Articles:
J&J restructures pharma unit, laying off workers. Report [1]
Big Pharma brings home the cash, slices payroll. Report [4]
J&J: Natrecor study failed to reveal two deaths. Report [5]
Feds seek drug data from Scios. Report [6]