Layoffs hit over 1,300 workers across seven biopharma M&A deals in 2026

Workforce reductions this year have affected at least seven biopharma companies that recently completed mergers or acquisitions, eliminating a minimum of 1,359 jobs, according to BioSpace data.

The largest cut is at CureVac, which was bought by BioNTech. The deal will result in 820 positions being eliminated, representing a significant portion of the company's staff.

Gilead Sciences completed its $7.8 billion purchase of Arcellx and promptly issued WARN notices, laying off 192 Arcellx employees – roughly 87% of its workforce – just two days after the transaction closed. Other affected firms include Tourmaline Bio, now part of Novartis, among the seven companies experiencing layoffs.