In 2026, 19 healthcare & pharma companies have cut a combined 13,850 jobs, averaging 15.8% of workforce per company.
Healthcare and pharma layoffs in 2026 are driven by clinical trial failures, regulatory setbacks, and cost restructuring. Biotech companies like Theravance and Gossamer Bio face existential cuts after late-stage trial failures, while larger pharma firms like Merck and Viatris are optimizing for efficiency.
| Company | People Cut | % of Workforce | Date | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takeda | 4,500 | 9.2% | COST CUT | |
| Viatris | 3,200 | 8.6% | COST CUT | |
| BioNTech | 1,860 | 22.0% | WEAK DEMAND | |
| Evotec | 800 | 16.0% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Crothall / Morrison Healthcare | 795 | 8.0% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Bristol Myers Squibb | 247 | 0.7% | COST CUT | |
| Horizon BCBS NJ | 242 | 5.0% | COST CUT | |
| Alameda Health System | 240 | 4.0% | COST CUT | |
| L.A. Care Health Plan | 225 | 3.0% | COST CUT | |
| Bristol Myers Squibb | 206 | 0.6% | COST CUT | |
| Theravance Biopharma | 200 | 50.0% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Gilead Sciences | 192 | 91.9% | MERGER | |
| Replimune | 161 | 59.6% | COST CUT | |
| Molina Healthcare | 156 | 0.9% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Merck | 147 | 0.2% | WEAK DEMAND | |
| Cigna Evernorth | 134 | 0.2% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| MedImpact Healthcare | 125 | 6.2% | MERGER | |
| Autolus Therapeutics | 98 | 13.0% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Tessera Therapeutics | 90 | 36.0% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Bicycle Therapeutics | 86 | 29.9% | COST CUT | |
| Gossamer Bio | 77 | 48.1% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Disc Medicine | 30 | 20.0% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Vertex Pharma | 20 | 0.2% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Alltrna | 19 | 34.5% | RESTRUCTURE |