Drugs firm restructure puts 126 jobs at risk

More than 100 jobs are at risk on Teesside

More than 100 jobs are at risk after a pharmaceutical firm announced plans to restructure.

Japanese company Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies said 240 staff globally, including up to 126 people on Teesside, were at risk of losing their jobs.

A spokesperson for the firm said they recognised the impact the news would have on staff and the region.

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham said a “national industrial strategy” was required to keep plants open and preserve skilled jobs.

Up to 126 roles at Fujifilm's sites in Billingham, Wilton and Darlington were at risk, the company said.

More than 1,000 staff are employed at the three sites.

The plans were announced to staff on Tuesday, said spokesperson Andy Ross.

Restructure

Fujifilm is currently in consultation with staff over the plans.

The firm is restructuring its small-scale medicines unit, which deals with products in their early research and clinical stages, and is cutting jobs in part because of reduced venture capital investment in early-stage research products, Mr Ross said.

The move comes a few years after the company announced plans for a new drugs factory in Billingham, which would create up to 350 jobs.

The factory was under active construction, said Mr Ross, and it was not believed to be affected by the restructuring.

He said staff would receive their full support during this "challenging period".

“Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies remains committed to the UK and will continue to invest in growing its UK operations,” he added.

'Tough time'

Mr Cunningham said he was "saddened" by the news of job losses.

"It’s a tough time for the market and the downturn in research and development has had a direct impact on the loss of quality, skilled jobs," he said.

"We need a national industrial strategy to work with and support businesses through the tough times to keep plants open and to preserve skilled jobs," he said.