Santhera to cut 26 jobs in drug discovery and focus on preclinical and clinical development
Santhera Pharmaceuticals, a Swiss pharmaceutical company with expertise in orphan neuromuscular diseases, is to cut 26 jobs, predominantly in drug discovery, from a workforce of 82, as part of its plans to focus on preclinical and clinical development. The company will also target commercialisation of small molecules in rare neuromuscular disorders and related niche indications.
Santhera Pharmaceuticals, a Swiss pharmaceutical company with expertise in orphan neuromuscular diseases, is to cut 26 jobs, predominantly in drug discovery, from a workforce of 82, as part of its plans to focus on preclinical and clinical development. The company will also target commercialisation of small molecules in rare neuromuscular disorders and related niche indications.
Santhera's commercial operation in North America will continue to market Catena in Canada and its US marketing organisation will be strengthened when positive Friedreich's Ataxia Phase III study (MICONOS) results become available in the first half of 2010.
The company's proven development expertise will focus on Catena, JP-1730/fipamezole and other clinical programmes. Preclinical activities will concentrate on reprofiling existing molecules and supporting clinical development programmes as well as the evaluation of in-licensing opportunities. In-vitro and in-vivo biology expertise will therefore be retained as well as all the knowledge required for the partnering of the assets related to Santhera's advanced MC4 receptor antagonist programme. In-house drug discovery, however, will be discontinued.
Santhera has begun a consultation process with the employees who are to be laid off.
"The planned restructuring is a very difficult decision for us. It became necessary due to the current delay of our most advanced programme combined with a difficult financial environment," said Klaus Schollmeier, chief executive of Santhera.
"The measure will assure that we keep enough financial flexibility until Catena is approved in the US and Europe and for other future growth opportunities."
