AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT CEPHEID (08/06/24)

AUGUST 6, 2024 — 635 IN SUNNYVALE AND SANTA CLARA, AND FREEMONT

According to a Cepheid spokesperson, “The company is consolidating all of its test cartridge manufacturing in the United States to its campus in Lodi, California.”

Impacted employees, including 450 manufacturing associates, will be laid off at several Bay area locations, including Sunnyvale headquarters, Santa Clara, and Freemont.

Separations are expected around the end of September 2024.

NOVEMBER 18, 2022 — Original post…

Sunnyvale, California-based Cepheid, a molecular diagnostics company developing systems to automate traditional nucleic acid tests to identify and analyze pathogens and genetic disorders, has announced major organizational changes. The changes include closing a plant in Newark, California, and implementing layoffs at its Sunnyvale headquarters and at another plant in Lodi, California.

The reduction in force will impact over 1,061 employees, including 683 employees at the closing Newark facility, 287 employees at Cepheid's Sunnyvale headquarters (including remote workers), 63 employees at another Newark facility, and 28 employees at the Lodi facility.

According to a spokesperson, The company is monitoring its capacity to match it with pandemic demand, including its non-Covid-testing business. "We're able to adjust the capacity up and downwards, both in terms of units of capacity but also costs, so that is a relatively flexible lever for us, and we'll continue to adjust that lever up or down, both from a capacity perspective as well as a cost perspective.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE A BIOMARIN PHARMACEUTICAL (08/31/24)

AUGUST 31, 2024 — MORE LAYOFFS SCHEDULED

In a second round of layoffs, the company announced it is laying off 225 workers, most of whom live and work in California.

In an SEC filing…

“On August 23, 2024, BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. committed to a plan to reduce its global workforce by approximately 225 employees. The Company decided to reduce its workforce in connection with organizational redesign efforts as well as the Company’s updated strategy for ROCTAVIAN and its decision to discontinue development of BMN 293, as previously announced by BioMarin on August 5, 2024. Impacted employees were notified by August 28, 2024, and workforce reductions are expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2024.

MAY 27, 2024 — 170 CALIFORNIA EMPLOYEES TARGETED

The company has announced that it is conducting a comprehensive review of its operations to determine which programs have the most transformative potential for creating patient and shareholder value. The company will accelerate three programs and discontinue four others, leading to a reduction in force.

The personnel realignment will impact 170 employees, approximately 5% of the company's workforce, and includes 128 employees in Marin County— 57 at the headquarters in downtown San Rafael, 71 employees at the company’s facility in the Bel Marin Keys area of Novato, and 13 employees that were on the San Rafael payroll but were not included because they work remotely in other parts of the state. Positions include associate directors, directors, executive directors, senior directors, managers, senior managers, research associates, scientists, senior scientists and two vice presidents.

According to a spokesperson, The move followed a strategic assessment of research and development programs during the first quarter of 2024.”

October 26, 2022 — Original post…

San Rafael, California-based BioMarin Pharmaceutical, a biotechnology company specializing in enzyme replacement therapies and the treatment of rare diseases has announced a major reduction in force as part of their cost containment initiative.

The workforce reduction will impact 120 employees by the end of 2022.

According to CEO Jean-Jacques Bienaimé, “We want to recognize everyone impacted by this initiative for their contributions on behalf of the patients we serve. Change is necessary to fulfill our commitment to operating the business in the best interest of our patients, shareholders, and other stakeholders. This requires that our organization is the right size, has the right structure and has the right focus to operate with maximum effectiveness and efficiency."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT GOODRX

Santa Monica, California-based GoodRx, a platform for prescription price comparisons and discount programs, has announced a major personnel realignment affecting 16% of the company's workforce.

Approximately 140 employees will be impacted, primarily in the company's technology and marketing teams.

According to GoodRx's chief financial officer Karsten Voermann, "The company is focused on efficiently growing its core prescriptions business, accelerating its pharma manufacturer solutions business and doubling down on consumer engagement. As the company focuses on these goals, it is consolidating functions and eliminating or reducing investment in areas of lower focus."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?