French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis will close eight of its 27 research and development sites, without making forced layoffs, as it remodels R&D activities to respond to changes in the drug industry. Sanofi's new R&D model - including measures that group researchers in more productive structures, working more closely with academics and hospitals to help drive innovation - should be in place by 2013. Productivity will focus on diabetes, cancer and age-linked diseases as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious diseases. Financial details of the reorganisation, which entails closing four sites in France and sites in Britain, Japan, Spain and the U.S., were not given. "Tomorrow's research will be carried out through networks. We will be open to knowledge from outside sources, becoming a key partner. We need to reinvent R&D," said Sanofi's head of R&D Marc Cluzel. Sanofi said no forced job cuts would take place but that a plan for voluntary departures was being considered. The company, which has staff of 13,000 in R&D and administrative posts, had no goal for voluntary departures.
