Sun Pharma Shuts 2 R&D Centres, Fires 85 Scientists To Cut Costs

Drug major, Sun Pharmaceuticals Limited is shutting down two of its R&D centres based in Vodadara, Gujarat. An Economic Times report said that this lead to the termination of employment of 85 scientists who were working at the company's clinical pharmacology unit, whcih forms a part of R&D operations.

The company said that they are discontinuing these services at their two centres at Tandalja and Akota in Vadodara and shifting them to other facilities. "While we continue to make investments in our R&D operations, we also constantly evaluate our resources and future capacity requirements to bring in efficiencies in cost and processes," it added.

The ET report said that the employees were not given prior notice and were informed of the decision on Friday when they arrived to work. The affected employees will be paid three-months' salary.

Sun Pharma said, "We are offering full support to the affected employees and helping them with outplacement services. We are intimating all regulatory authorities and ensuring that we comply with all regulations."

The pharmaceutical company has around 2,000 scientists employed in six major centres located in Vododara, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Canada, Israel and the US.