Merger to close Chugai research labs and plants

Chugai Pharmaceutical and Nippon Roche, the Japanese affiliate of the Swiss parent, plan to close two of six research laboratories and integrate seven plants into four after their merger scheduled for October.

Chugai will close its laboratory in Tokyo and three plants and integrate its production facilities into its other plants. Some 24 branch offices will be reduced to 13, and 95 sales representative offices will be cut to 55. All headquarters functions will be centralised at Chugai's head office.

It is estimated that the integration of labs, plants, sales offices and headquarters will enable the firms to save ¥4bn (€33.7m).