The firm said ceasing operations at the facility – where it makes generic products including pain-relief medications Hydrocodone and Oxycodone, and anti-inflammatory Prednisone - will optimise its network.
“The company completed a comprehensive review of its manufacturing network and made the decision to cease operations and close its manufacturing and distribution facilities in Huntsville,” Endo spokesperson Heather Zoumas-Lubeski told in-PharmaTechnologist.
“The Huntsville location has been impacted by declining volumes of commoditised products, and these restructuring actions are intended to permit Endo to optimise its overall facility utilisation and to redeploy savings to more differentiated capabilities and products that we believe represent our core areas of future growth,” Zoumas-Lubeski said.
According to Endo, some of these projects include Phase III development, pre-launch activities, and sales and marketing for Xiaflex, its collagenase-based cellulite product, as well as investment in generics R&D programmes.
Zoumas-Lubeski told us the firm has not yet finalised plans regarding the transfer of current products for manufacturing.
Job cuts
The closure of the Huntsville facility – to take effect over the next 12 to 18 months – will reduce Endo’s workforce by approximately 865 positions.
The news follows the firm’s announcement last year that it was closing its North Carolina manufacturing site and reducing headcount at the Huntsville facility.
The Dublin, Ireland- and Malvern, Pennsylvania, US-headquartered firm has seven manufacturing sites across the US in New York State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan and California, and one in Chennai, India.