Merck KGaA to restructures pharma ops in France

Germany's Merck KGaA says that it has decided to launch a project to restructure its pharmaceutical activities in France, including the closure of its R&D facility in Lacassagne and a production site in Lyon.

Following what the company described as two "major independent restructuring and optimization studies" relating to its production and supply chain, as well as pre-clinical R&D, the decision was taken to make the closures as Merck "enhances efficiency and realizes synergies in the pharmaceutical business sector."

Under the terms of the plan, the Lacassagne site closure will result in the reallocation or redundancy of around 320 staff, with pre-clinical diabetes research activity at the site to be terminated by end-2004. As a consequence, Merck says it is refocusing its research activities in France and will now concentrate them at its existing diabetes research center near Paris.