Evotec is closing its chemistry operations in Thane, India, as part of a restructuring move in which 120 people will be laid off. The German pharma said all chemistry efforts will be moved to its Abingdon, UK facility, “answering to an increasing requirement to operate closer to the principal R&D laboratories of our major customers.”
The company added that all Thane work will cease by the end of September, at which point Evotec (India) Private Ltd. will be wound down.
In a statement, Evotec COO Mario Polywka, Ph.D., noted that the company was due to relocate its Indian chemistry operations by June 2014. It was “during the due diligence in finding a new facility and because of growing customer requirements for European-based activities we came to the conclusion to exit our operations in India completely,” Dr. Polywka said.
“Through this realignment we will be able to most efficiently serve our customers, utilize our UK chemistry resources and capabilities and also realize some cost savings,” he added. “Unfortunately, the impact is that we must say goodbye to a first-class work force in Thane that has so ably supported our customers over the last four years.”
