Shire Pharmaceuticals has updated its “One Shire” program and has initiated an employee consultation process at its site in Basingstoke.

Shire has been implementing the “One Shire” reorganization aimed at simplifying the business.  Previously, Shire had three autonomous divisions, each with its own R&D, supply chain, technical operations and commercial infrastructures. These three divisions are being reorganized into one business to reduce overlap.

The company recently announced its product pipeline has been prioritized to focus on programs that have the best chance of clinical and commercial success. This has resulted in a decision to focus the current early stage clinical investment primarily on rare diseases. The company is proposing to discontinue a number of programs outside of rare diseases. The cessation of these programs, which have been carried out in Basingstoke, will result in a significant decrease in the amount of R&D conducted in Basingstoke. A small number of functional roles will also potentially be affected.

Phil Vickers, head of R&D for Shire, said, “Our ‘One Shire’ reorganization is simplifying our business, reducing duplication and prioritizing investments in future growth.  We understand this is a very difficult situation for those employees potentially affected by the proposed changes we have announced today in Basingstoke, and we are fully committed to supporting them during this consultation process. We firmly believe, however, that these steps are vital to Shire remaining a high growth business that continues to develop products that serve unmet patient need.”

Basingstoke will continue to be an important location for Shire, particularly for the U.K. business. Shire has close ties with many U.K.-based patient groups, and a large proportion of the company’s shareholders are U.K.-based. Basingstoke will continue to be the base for the employees that support the Shire business in the U.K. and globally.

Separately, Shire is proposing to relocate its Swiss operations from Eysins to Zug, and is starting a consultation process with its employees in Eysins.