The pharma company has four locations in Ireland, employing more than 1,000 people.

Japanese pharmaceutical company Takeda has announced plans to lay off 4,500 people from its globally dispersed workforce, as a means of restructuring and reducing costs. Reportedly, the cuts will start in early July and could extend to December 2027. 

According to a recent investor presentation, the company’s restructuring plans will include consolidating its departments for efficiency, cutting management layers and automating operations, all in the name of generating the necessary funds to support upcoming drug launches. 

Current hiring plans will not be impacted, however, as Takeda intends to fill 2,200 vacant roles, some of which will go to internal candidates. With more than 50,000 workers worldwide, in more than 80 global locations, it is unclear which regions will be most impacted.

It is unknown how the cuts might affect Ireland. The pharmaceutical company has had a presence in the country since 1997 and has four locations. In Dublin, there are facilities at Citywest, Grange Castle and Baggot Street; there is also a premises in Bray, Co Wicklow. 

The Bray facility was previously chosen as Takeda’s first European OSD facility, allowing expansion into global markets, and in 2004, Takeda chose Grange Castle as its first active pharmaceutical ingredient facility outside of Japan. Currently, the company employs more than 1,000 people in Ireland. 

When asked if the layoffs might affect Ireland-based employees, a spokesperson from Takeda told SiliconRepublic.com that the company is “undergoing a transformation designed to strengthen competitiveness, enhance our long-term growth profile and accelerate launch execution in the years ahead”.

“As our transformation is ongoing across the organisation in accordance with unique business needs and country requirements, with new roles also being created, including jobs that will support the launches of new medicines and capabilities, we do not have more specific information to provide.

“We are committed to supporting employees in line with Takeda’s values, adhering to the appropriate local processes and legal requirements.”

Earlier this week, coding platform GitLab announced plans to cut an undisclosed number of jobs, with additional plans to reduce its global operational footprint by up to 30pc. Carmaker GM also announced layoffs, with around 30 Ireland-based employees expected to be affected.

Updated, 4.41pm, 15 May 2026: This article was updated to include a quote from a Takeda representative. 

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