Genentech Announces Third Round of Layoffs in 2025, Affecting 118 Employees

Genentech, a subsidiary of Roche, has announced its third round of layoffs this year at its Bay Area headquarters. The latest workforce reduction, affecting 118 employees across multiple departments, highlights ongoing restructuring efforts within the pharmaceutical giant.

Layoff Details and Company Statement

The layoffs were reported in a California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing on October 27, 2025, and are set to be completed by November 28. A Genentech spokesperson confirmed the staff reduction, stating, "We consistently evaluate all facets of our operations to ensure we remain well-positioned to meet patients' evolving needs today while continuing to deliver innovative new medicines in the future."

The company emphasized that while the overall number of employees is expected to remain broadly stable in 2025, changes may occur across individual departments. "In some areas, this creates new opportunities and growth, while in others it requires adaptation," the spokesperson added.

Pattern of Workforce Reductions

This latest round of layoffs follows two previous reductions at Genentech's South San Francisco headquarters earlier in the year. In May, the company let go of 143 staffers, followed by another 87 employees in July. The reasoning provided for these cuts aligns with the current round, focusing on operational evaluations and adaptations to meet evolving needs.

The trend of layoffs extends back to 2024, when Genentech announced a significant reduction of 436 people, approximately 3% of its staff, across several departments in April. This was followed by the closure of its cancer immunology research department and an additional 93 layoffs at the South San Francisco site in August of the same year.

Strategic Shifts in Partnerships and Research Focus

Alongside workforce reductions, Genentech has been reevaluating its partnerships and research priorities. Recent months have seen the company terminating collaborations in oncology and cell therapy. In July, Genentech ended an oncology R&D pact with Bicycle Therapeutics, and in August, it dissolved a potentially $2 billion cell therapy deal with Adaptive Biotechnologies.

However, the company has also shown interest in new areas of research. Shortly after these terminations, Genentech invested $20 million to license a preclinical inflammatory bowel disease program from Omass Therapeutics. This deal includes the potential for over $400 million in milestone payments, signaling a shift in the company's research focus.