A Takeda spokesperson confirmed to FirstWord on Thursday that 137 of its employees in Massachusetts will be let go due to this change.
The layoffs are the latest to hit the pharma's workers in the state. Last year, Takeda cut nearly 1000 staffers in Massachusetts.
https://firstwordpharma.com/story/6230311
Takeda Pharmaceuticals, based in Cambridge, announced plans to lay off 137 employees next year as it ends its cell therapy program. The cuts will begin in January 2026 and affect workers at three Cambridge locations (650 Kendall St, 40 Landsdowne St, and 300 Massachusetts Ave). The company said affected employees will receive severance packages and 60-day notices.
This move is separate from the nearly 1,000 layoffs made last year under a larger efficiency plan. Takeda says it’s seeking an external partner to continue its cell therapy work and that the decision is not part of previous restructuring.
Despite the cuts, Takeda remains Massachusetts’ largest life sciences employer with 5,809 employees and plans to open a new 600,000-square-foot R&D facility at 585 Kendall next year. The company continues to invest in oncology, rare diseases, neuroscience, and gastroenterology.