GlaxoSmithKline will close the Liberty Corner, NJ, headquarters of Reliant Pharmaceuticals and plans to lay off 109 workers at the site, The Star-Ledger of New Jersey reports.

Novartis' head of global drug development James Shannon will leave the company as the drugmaker continues a reorganization of its pharmaceuticals division.

Nearly two-thirds of Bradley Pharmaceuticals' work force is expected to be let go following the company's acquisition by Nycomed.

Neurogen said it laid off 70 workers and is taking a charge of about $1.5 million in the first quarter of 2008 to pay severence benefits and other charges.

Neose Technologies said it will reduce its staff by 35% in connection with the discontinuation of NE-180 (GlycoPEGylated erythropoietin), its experimental erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) for the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease and cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Wyeth is considering a cost-cutting plan that may call for elimination of 10% of its workforce over the next three years, a company spokesman told MM&M.

NitroMed announced it plans to lay off a majority of its newly hired BiDil sales force by roughly 70 to 90 employees.

Novartis is planning to cut around 2,500 jobs globally, or 2.5% of its workforce, as part of a plan to cut costs and boost growth, Novartis CEO Daniel Vasella told The Wall Street Journal Europe in an interview this week.

Bristol-Myers Squibb confirmed on Wednesday that it would cut nearly 10% of its 43,000-member workforce. The drugmaker also announced plans to sell or close half of its 27 manufacturing plants across the globe, outsource some of its manufacturing and shrink its portfolio of 500 products by 60%.

Wall Street analysts expect Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) to announce it will cut its work force by 10%, or 4,300 jobs, and potentially close up to half of its manufacturing plants, at its Dec. 5 investor meeting.