In 2026, 19 healthcare & pharma companies have cut a combined 7,311 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viatris | 3,200 | 9% | COST CUT | |
| Evotec | 800 | 16% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Crothall / Morrison Healthcare | 795 | 8% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Takeda | 634 | 1% | COST CUT | |
| Bristol Myers Squibb | 247 | 0.7% | COST CUT | |
| Alameda Health System | 240 | 4% | COST CUT | |
| L.A. Care Health Plan | 225 | 3% | COST CUT | |
| Theravance Biopharma | 200 | 50% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Abbott House | 162 | 32% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Merck | 147 | 0.2% | WEAK DEMAND | |
| Cigna Evernorth | 134 | 0.2% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| MedImpact Healthcare | 125 | 6% | MERGER | |
| Tessera Therapeutics | 90 | 36% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Bicycle Therapeutics | 86 | 30% | COST CUT | |
| Thermo Fisher | 80 | 0.1% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Gossamer Bio | 77 | 48% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Disc Medicine | 30 | 20% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Vertex Pharma | 20 | 0.2% | RESTRUCTURE | |
| Alltrna | 19 | 35% | RESTRUCTURE |