Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. is reorganizing its U.S. Commercial organization to transition from a maturing primary care product portfolio to a differentiated specialty portfolio including areas such as cardiovascular, pain management and oncology. 

To reduce expenses, the company expects to eliminate 1,000 to 1,200 positions across the U.S. Commercial function located in Parsippany, NJ, as well as field-based sales and other positions throughout the country. This reorganization does not include U.S.-based R&D functions, which have staff concentrated in Edison, NJ, or its packaging plant in Bethlehem, PA.

“As we face the loss of exclusivity in the coming year of our largest product, we also look ahead to great opportunities with our emerging portfolio in cardiology, oncology, fibromyalgia and pain relief,” said Ken Keller, president, U.S. Commercial, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. “This calls for us to restructure our organization into a smaller, highly targeted and efficient operating model, with a greater emphasis on customer-facing roles.”

“Daiichi Sankyo recognizes the macro changes occurring in the U.S. healthcare system that place a greater emphasis on managing the needs of patients with more complex healthcare needs. As a specialty company, we will be positioned to meet those needs and invest in advancing technologies that will make a significant difference in patient lives,” said Mr. Keller.