GSK in France: 'Oui' to manufacturing, 'non' to R&D

As part of a three-year plan to save the firm £1bn ($1.5bn) annually announced last year​, GSK is consolidating its R&D network by concentrating its operations into two global centres – Philadelphia in the US and Stevenage in the UK – that will be supported by a number of smaller ‘satellite’ sites.

GSK is therefore putting up for sale a facility in Les Ulis, France – about 20km south of Paris.

“We’ve been looking around the world where we have our additional, smaller R&D facilities,”​ a spokesman from the Big Pharma firm told this publication. “The Les Ulis site has not been selected to be one of GSK’s future R&D satellite sites,” ​he added.

“This choice does not question the scientific skills and the quality of the work carried out on the Les Ulis site. It reflects the nature of the work there – flexible chemistry that crosses our organisation – which we think can be done at our two global hubs.”​

There are around 60 staff members at the facility and GSK is searching for a buyer in order to continue operations at this site.

“Our priority is to search for pharmaceutical organisations to acquire the site and its operations, preserving employment whenever possible.”​

300 nouveaux emplois​

Despite the exit, GSK remains committed to France and in-Pharmatechnologist was told the UK-headquartered company would invest in its manufacturing presence in the country.

“We anticipate creating around a further 300 skilled jobs across our three industrial sites in the country during 2015-2016.”​

The firm has an inhalation dosage plant in Evreux, an oral dosage site in Mayenne, and a vaccine facility in Saint-Amand-les-Eaux.