AM I NEXT? NO LOVE A BIOMARIN PHARMACEUTICAL

San Rafael, California-based BioMarin Pharmaceutical, a biotechnology company specializing in enzyme replacement therapies and rare disease treatment, has announced a consolidation of its real estate footprint and a reduction in force as part of its ongoing cost-containment initiative.

The workforce reduction will impact 117 Novato, California, employees, effective December 4, 2026.

According to a company statement, “Novato will remain BioMarin’s primary drug substance manufacturing site for Aldurazyme and Naglazyme, while activities related to other products and facilities will be transferred, divested or decommissioned. We are committed to treating affected employees with respect throughout this transition, including providing appropriate support and severance benefits consistent with our policies. We remain fully committed to the patients we serve.”

Change is constant, and it's coming. Tomorrow will always come, no matter how much you try to ignore it. Life offers no guarantees, nor promises of a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something terrible hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. While many employees can read the writing on the wall, why do most assume it’s targeted at someone else? Are you wondering, "Am I Next?"

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE A BIOMARIN PHARMACEUTICAL (08/31/24)

AUGUST 31, 2024 — MORE LAYOFFS SCHEDULED

In a second round of layoffs, the company announced it is laying off 225 workers, most of whom live and work in California.

In an SEC filing…

“On August 23, 2024, BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. committed to a plan to reduce its global workforce by approximately 225 employees. The Company decided to reduce its workforce in connection with organizational redesign efforts as well as the Company’s updated strategy for ROCTAVIAN and its decision to discontinue development of BMN 293, as previously announced by BioMarin on August 5, 2024. Impacted employees were notified by August 28, 2024, and workforce reductions are expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2024.

MAY 27, 2024 — 170 CALIFORNIA EMPLOYEES TARGETED

The company has announced that it is conducting a comprehensive review of its operations to determine which programs have the most transformative potential for creating patient and shareholder value. The company will accelerate three programs and discontinue four others, leading to a reduction in force.

The personnel realignment will impact 170 employees, approximately 5% of the company's workforce, and includes 128 employees in Marin County— 57 at the headquarters in downtown San Rafael, 71 employees at the company’s facility in the Bel Marin Keys area of Novato, and 13 employees that were on the San Rafael payroll but were not included because they work remotely in other parts of the state. Positions include associate directors, directors, executive directors, senior directors, managers, senior managers, research associates, scientists, senior scientists and two vice presidents.

According to a spokesperson, The move followed a strategic assessment of research and development programs during the first quarter of 2024.”

October 26, 2022 — Original post…

San Rafael, California-based BioMarin Pharmaceutical, a biotechnology company specializing in enzyme replacement therapies and the treatment of rare diseases has announced a major reduction in force as part of their cost containment initiative.

The workforce reduction will impact 120 employees by the end of 2022.

According to CEO Jean-Jacques Bienaimé, “We want to recognize everyone impacted by this initiative for their contributions on behalf of the patients we serve. Change is necessary to fulfill our commitment to operating the business in the best interest of our patients, shareholders, and other stakeholders. This requires that our organization is the right size, has the right structure and has the right focus to operate with maximum effectiveness and efficiency."

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?