Merck Begins Layoffs in New Jersey as Part of $3 Billion Cost-Cutting Plan

Merck & Co. is implementing a sweeping layoff plan as part of a $3 billion cost-cutting initiative, which includes major workforce reductions45.

The company will cut about 6,000 jobs globally—approximately 8% of its workforce—with layoffs occurring in various regions, including its Lawrenceville, New Jersey facility25.

223 employees at the Lawrenceville, New Jersey site are scheduled for layoff between May 22 and August 1, 2025, as noted in WARN notices1.

These layoffs come as Merck faces the upcoming patent expiration for its top-selling cancer drug, Keytruda, impacting long-term revenue projections5.

Merck’s restructuring follows similar moves by other pharmaceutical companies, including Moderna, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Novartis, who are also responding to market shifts and patent cliffs5.

Sources:

1. https://xtalks.com/pharma-and-biotech-layoffs-2025-4110/

2. https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/merck-will-lay-6000-3b-annual-cost-cutting-purge

4. https://www.thehrdigest.com/merck-layoffs-announced-axing-both-land-and-labor-in-one-fell-swoop/

5. https://www.pharmexec.com/view/merck-cut-6-000-jobs-3-billion-cost-savings-2027