NEW YORK - British drugmaker AstraZeneca has cut about 600 jobs from its U.S. respiratory and immunology commercial teams, according to media reports on November 13, 2026. The reductions form part of a three-year restructuring plan targeting $1.5 billion in annual savings by 2029.
What happened?
Bloomberg News and Reuters reported that AstraZeneca reduced roughly 600 U.S. sales positions and scaled back its partnership with contract sales firm Syneos Health, though some affected employees are expected to be reassigned internally. While AstraZeneca’s immunology and respiratory portfolio generated $2.5 billion, or 16% of third-quarter revenue, asthma inhalers struggled. Breztri’s U.S. third-quarter sales rose 2% year over year to $170 million, while Airsupra fell 3% to $43 million.
Why does it matter?
The overhaul comes as AstraZeneca redirects capital toward pipeline growth while reassuring investors it can reach $80 billion in annual revenue by 2030 despite upcoming patent expirations and recent clinical setbacks. CEO Pascal Soriot previously explained the strategy: "It's more reallocation of resources across the pipeline and across the world. In the end, we are still a growing company, and the idea is not to shrink the company."
What happens next?
AstraZeneca declined to comment on the November 13 reports. Chief Financial Officer Aradhana Sarin previously stated that the three-year cost-savings drive will bring targeted reductions in certain units alongside reskilling and new roles across other parts of the global business.
