Novo Nordisk is ending all work in cell therapy, including a Type 1 diabetes program, amid CEO Maziar Mike Doustdar’s reorganization. As part of the move, the company is laying off nearly all of the division’s 250 employees, according to the Danish publication that first broke the news. “We can confirm that we have decided to discontinue our cell therapy R&D efforts,” a Novo spokesperson told Fierce Biotech. “We are in the process of identifying partners with the right capabilities and manufacturing capacity to further develop our innovations.” “Out of respect for the employees involved, we will not share additional details about individual sites or areas,” the spokesperson added. The decision includes nearly all of the division’s 250 employees being terminated, according to Danish publication Borsen, which first reported the cuts. The move is part of new CEO Doustdar’s initiative aimed at saving about $1.3 billion annually by the end of 2026. The cost-cutting bid involves laying off 9,000 employees, or about 11% of the company’s global workforce.

Full report : Novo Nordisk axes cell therapy research in sweeping overhaul.