Astellas cuts 600 positions in Japan as new CEO makes his mark

Joining a host of other drug companies announcing slim-down efforts in recent months, Astellas is shedding 600 positions in Japan in R&D and sales and marketing. The company announced an early retirement program for eligible employees, hoping to enroll 600 staffers for an early exit.As part of the program, Astellas will close down Astellas Research Technologies and Astellas Marketing and Sales Support, it said. It'll terminate most of the activities at Astellas Learning Institute. Further, the Japanese drugmaker plans to divest another outfit, Analytical Science Laboratories, to Eurofins Pharma Services.