Fierce Biotech Layoff Tracker 2025: Empress halves workforce; HC Bioscience set to shutter
Empress Therapeutics
- Laid off 23 employees, representing 53% of its workforce
- Now has 20 remaining staff members
- Cuts aimed at getting its small-molecule science into clinical trials
- Follows several other recent restructurings at Flagship Pioneering companies
HC Bioscience
- Set to shut down operations entirely
- Explored strategic alternatives before deciding to close
- Focused on protein editing technology
Other Notable Biotech Layoffs
- Sutro Biopharma cut approximately 50% of its workforce
- GRObio conducted a reorganization including reducing research staff
- Bristol Myers Squibb laid off 223 workers in New Jersey and 57 in California as part of ongoing cost-cutting
- CRISPR Therapeutics cut an undisclosed number of positions
- Biogen reduced R&D staff by an undisclosed amount
- Atara Biotherapeutics laid off about 50% of its workforce
Industry Trends
- Over 10 biotech companies announced layoffs in the first 10 days of 2025
- Cuts affecting companies of all sizes across various therapeutic areas
- Driven by factors like restructuring, pipeline changes, and commercialization challenges
- Cell and gene therapy companies facing particular difficulties
The biotech industry continues to face headwinds in early 2025, with many companies reducing headcount to extend cash runways and refocus priorities. Layoffs are impacting research, clinical, and commercial operations across the sector.