Oscient to Shed 32% of Workers

Oscient Pharmaceuticals, a Waltham, MA-based drug maker, says it is laying off 32 percent of its total workforce, or about 100 jobs, to conserve cash. The company—which markets fenofibrate (Antara) for high cholesterol and antibiotic gemifloxacin mesylate (Factive) for bronchitis—expects a charge of $2 million in this fiscal quarter related to the layoffs. The cuts, however, are projected to save the firm $8 million annually. Here’s a link to our Boston Layoff Tracker.

Author: Ryan McBride

Ryan is an award-winning business journalist who contributes to our life sciences and technology coverage. He was previously a staff writer for Mass High Tech, a Boston business and technology newspaper, where he and his colleagues won a national business journalism award from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers in 2008. In recent years, he has made regular TV appearances on New England Cable News. Prior to MHT, Ryan covered the life sciences, technology, and energy sectors for Providence Business News. He graduated with honors from the University of Rhode Island in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. When he’s not chasing down news, Ryan enjoys mountain biking and skiing in his home state of Vermont.