According to the Bridgewater, NJ-based Courier News, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development (JJPRD) has eliminated 300 early R&D and support positions in its Raritan, NJ site. The unit will be consolidated with a site in Spring House, PA, according to CN writer Stefanie Matteson.

Quoting J&J spokeman Ernie Knewitz, Ms. Matteson wrote, “employees had previously been notified that a review was under way to find ways to make the unit more productive.”

“The unit was consolidated with a unit doing similar work about 50 miles away,” Mr. Knewitz said. “By creating one larger unit with a greater critical mass, we felt we could be more productive.” The layoffs were announced Friday, when the affected employees were given 60 days’ notice.