Pfizer is set to lay off more than 200 employees in Switzerland as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce costs, according to a report from Bloomberg published Wednesday. The workforce reduction will lower the company’s headcount in Switzerland from approximately 300 to about 70 employees. Pfizer expects these layoffs to be completed by the end of the year.
A Pfizer representative told Bloomberg that the company is “streamlining and realigning” resources with the goal of reducing operational complexity. The report cites anonymous sources familiar with the matter.
The changes follow leadership adjustments announced in late September, when Sabine Bruckner, who led Pfizer’s Swiss operations since 2020, was replaced by Rea Lal. According to Bloomberg’s sources, while Bruckner has been reassigned within Pfizer, Lal—previously head of Access and Value—will have a reduced mandate in her new role.
Pfizer did not provide specific figures regarding its operations in Switzerland when contacted for comment.
Since launching a broad cost-cutting program in October 2023, Pfizer has eliminated around 2,000 jobs worldwide. In that same year, roughly 850 positions were cut across sites in Connecticut, Michigan, and several European offices. The trend continued into 2024 with an additional 700 job cuts affecting locations including Washington, Colorado, North Carolina, and Kansas.
Earlier this year, a spokesperson informed BioSpace that Pfizer aims to achieve approximately $4.5 billion in savings by the end of 2025 through these measures. So far this year—and not counting the planned reductions in Switzerland—the company has already eliminated about 150 positions.
In addition to staff reductions, Pfizer is reviewing other business commitments for potential divestment. Last month reports emerged that the company may sell its stake in BioNTech for an estimated $500 million. Despite this possibility, BioNTech emphasized it continues a “close and strong collaboration” with Pfizer.
Despite focusing on cost savings and restructuring initiatives—including recent major deals such as acquiring Metsera for $9.2 billion after competing with Novo Nordisk and licensing a GLP-1 drug from YaoPharma for $1.9 billion—Pfizer retains significant funds available for further business development. CEO Albert Bourla stated at a recent meeting with Guggenheim Partners that about $6 billion remains unallocated within their budget for future deals.
