GSK set to cut 1,200 jobs in Belgium under restructuring

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 15, 2026

GlaxoSmithKline plans to cut about 1,200 jobs in Belgium as part of a wider restructuring to save £1.9 billion annually by 2029 and focus investment on its late-stage drug pipeline. Despite reducing staff, GSK aims to remain Belgium’s largest biopharmaceutical employer and is accelerating development with over 20 phase III trials expected by year-end.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced plans to reduce its workforce in Belgium by approximately 1,200 jobs as part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at cutting costs and redirecting investment towards its emerging drug pipeline. The move is a component of a wider cost-saving initiative targeting £1.9 billion in annual savings by 2029, which was outlined in a strategic update announced in July.

Belgium plays a significant role in GSK’s vaccine operations, hosting three major manufacturing sites and serving as the historical centre of the company’s vaccine division. The London-headquartered firm currently employs around 8,500 people in the country. Despite the planned workforce reductions, GSK stated it intends to remain the largest employer in Belgium’s biopharmaceutical sector, continuing to manufacture the majority of its vaccines there.

A GSK spokeswoman explained that the proposed changes aim to simplify the company’s operations and reallocate capital and resources toward late-stage development of new medicines and vaccines. The restructuring will address overcapacity issues in the Belgian supply chain related to older products, as well as streamline support functions through outsourcing and centralisation.

This announcement follows GSK’s recent decision to close a vaccine factory in Dresden, Germany, scheduled for next year due to declining demand for egg-based flu vaccines, a move that could affect 641 jobs. Together, these actions reflect GSK’s broader shift under Chief Executive Luke Miels to focus investment on promising new therapies.

Under Miels, GSK is also planning to establish a new global research and development headquarters in Cambridge, England, as part of a £400 million investment plan, which includes relocating its R&D centre from Stevenage. The company aims to accelerate its drug development pipeline, with more than 20 late-stage phase III trials expected to commence by the end of this year—double the previous target. GSK is working to advance seven drug assets across 18 therapy areas following a portfolio review led by Miels, who previously served as the company’s chief commercial officer.

In related news, Oxford University announced that the first patient has been dosed in a clinical trial for a new ulcerative colitis treatment, developed through a collaboration with GSK launched last year.

Following the job cut announcement, GSK shares rose 3.6 percent to close at £18.16 on the London Stock Exchange.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.