Research laboratory to shed up to 30 jobs

Oct 15 2008 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

UP to 30 jobs are to be lost at the Organon research laboratory at Newhouse.

Owners Schering-Plough made the announcement last week as part of their plans “to fully align the Newhouse research site”, which they acquired last November.

The site will continue to be the company’s main research centre for diseases of the central nervous system, also focusing on psychiatry and research into new painkillers.

Employees have been assured that the local lab remains a fully functioning core site, where research will also be carried out into cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Workers were informed of the job losses last Tuesday, and a social plan will be discussed with the unions and other staff representatives in an effort to minimise the impact of the job losses.

Schering-Plough vice-president and Newhouse site head Chris Hill said: “We recognise that reducing the number of positions is a painful and difficult decision, but these actions are necessary to address current challenges and to enable the company to maintain and improve its competitiveness over the long term.

“The company will conduct these actions with great care and sensitivity, in an effort to do the right thing by our colleagues.

“Newhouse will function as a core site within our network; the company recognises the important contribution the facility makes to research and development.

“The proposed changes ensure that it will retain its important science base, expertise and skills in its key therapeutic areas while becoming an integrated part of the Schering-Plough Research Institute.

“We aim to preserve as much of the research capacity as possible in order to keep the pipeline moving and to retain the option of further investment in these key areas for the future.”

The New Jersey-based organisation develops prescription and consumer products as well as animal health drugs, and the Newhouse move is part of their worldwide “productivity transformation programme”, launched six months ago.