Lundbeck to cut R&D workforce

Pharma News – As part of its Expand and Invest to Grow-strategy, Lundbeck plans to make changes to its organisation in Research & Development (R&D). The initiative could lead to a reduction of around 130-160 employees.

Lundbeck plans to optimise its R&D-organisation to enhance the company’s ability to strengthen and advance its pipeline across all phases in an evolving neuroscience landscape.

“The proposed changes will allow us to fully execute on our strategy in the years to come and rebuild our pipeline with innovative programs with strong potential to deliver highly impactful treatments for patients with brain disorders. Through this we will support Lundbeck in becoming the premier neuroscience company, globally” says Johan Luthman, Executive Vice President, R&D at Lundbeck.

Earlier this year, Lundbeck’s migraine prevention drug Vyepti (eptinezumab) was approved by the FDA. Teva, Eli Lilly and Amgen/Novartis already have calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) class migraine drugs on the market, but Lundbeck is hoping to differentiate itself from the competition with an intravenous formulation taken in a clinic instead of self-injected with a pen.

While there are hopes that Vyepti could generate blockbuster-level revenues, the company still relies on several mental health drugs for its revenue, which have been on the market for several years and face generic competition.

With the cut in R&D workforce, Lundbeck also plans to expand the company’s operating space and rebuild its pipeline of potential new medicines to treat brain disorders.