July biopharma layoffs down 94% YoY, 466 jobs cut across six companies

July saw a sharp decline in biopharma workforce reductions, with only 466 employees affected, a 94% drop compared with the same month last year.

BioSpace data shows six companies announced or projected layoffs in July, down 74% from the prior year. The biggest cut came from Novartis, which eliminated 322 positions.

Other companies include Amgen, which is letting go about 40 staff, and Arpeggio Biosciences, which is winding down its operations and laying off roughly 13 workers. GSK and other firms also reported cuts.

The lower numbers reflect the impact of large layoff plans announced in July 2025, such as Merck's projected 6,000 job reductions, which inflated last year's totals.