BioMarin layoffs have drawn attention in the biotechnology industry after the company announced plans to eliminate 117 positions at its Novato, California, site. The planned job cuts are part of an effort to consolidate the company’s operations into a smaller, more focused location. The changes are scheduled to take effect on December 4, 2026, according to reporting based on a California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice.
The latest announcement follows another workforce reduction involving 58 positions at the Princeton, New Jersey, headquarters of Amicus Therapeutics, which BioMarin acquired in April 2026. Although both developments involve the combined business, they have different locations and immediate circumstances.
This article explains the latest BioMarin layoffs, why the company is consolidating its operations, which locations are affected, and what the changes could mean for employees and the biotechnology industry.
Latest News on BioMarin Layoffs
On September 30, 2026, Fierce Pharma reported that BioMarin planned to eliminate 117 jobs at its Novato, California, site. The report cited a California WARN notice and a statement from a company spokesperson.
The company said it was consolidating its Novato footprint into a smaller, more focused site. The planned reductions are part of its broader evaluation of facilities and operations.
BioMarin also stated that the latest consolidation was not related to recent updates involving its VOXZOGO development program for children with Noonan syndrome.
The distinction matters because changes to a drug development program do not automatically mean that a company is reducing its workforce for the same reason. In this case, the company described the Novato changes as part of its ongoing review of its operational footprint.
Source: Fierce Pharma’s report on the 117 planned job cuts.
How Many Jobs Are Affected by the BioMarin Layoffs?
The latest reported workforce changes involve two separate locations.
| Location | Reported positions | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Novato, California | 117 | Planned cuts associated with site consolidation |
| Princeton, New Jersey | 58 | Positions affected at the former Amicus headquarters following the acquisition |
The 117 planned California job cuts are scheduled to take effect on December 4, 2026. The 58 Princeton positions were reported in May 2026, with the affected terminations scheduled between August 7 and October 30.
These figures describe the two reported rounds of workforce reductions. They should not be interpreted as a complete count of all employment changes across BioMarin’s global operations.
The Princeton reductions were associated with the integration of Amicus Therapeutics into BioMarin. A company spokesperson said the integration process had resulted in headcount reductions, particularly in areas where the organizations had overlapping roles.
Source: Fierce Pharma’s report on the Amicus workforce changes.
Why Is BioMarin Reducing Its Workforce?
The reported changes are linked to operational consolidation and organizational integration. These are common considerations when biotechnology companies reorganize facilities or combine businesses through acquisitions.
1. Consolidating Facilities in California
BioMarin operates multiple facilities in Novato. The company has said that Novato will remain its primary drug substance manufacturing site for Aldurazyme and Naglazyme.
Activities associated with certain other products and facilities are expected to be transferred, divested, or decommissioned, according to the company’s statement reported by Fierce Pharma.
The planned consolidation is intended to create a smaller and more focused operational footprint. However, the available reporting does not establish that every job reduction is connected to a particular manufacturing product or department.
2. Integrating Amicus Therapeutics
BioMarin completed its acquisition of Amicus Therapeutics on April 27, 2026. The approximately $4.8 billion acquisition expanded BioMarin’s portfolio of treatments for rare diseases.
Amicus brought products including Galafold, used to treat Fabry disease, and Pombiliti plus Opfolda, a combination therapy for Pompe disease.
Following the acquisition, BioMarin began evaluating how to align the two organizations. The 58 positions affected at the Princeton headquarters were associated with this integration process, particularly where responsibilities overlapped.
3. Reviewing Costs and Organizational Structure
Biotechnology companies must balance research, manufacturing, commercial operations, and administrative costs. After an acquisition, some functions may be combined to reduce duplication and improve efficiency.
BioMarin disclosed a restructuring plan connected to the Amicus integration in its 2026 second-quarter filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The plan focuses primarily on reducing overlapping personnel costs in general and administrative functions.
The filing estimated approximately $92 million in pretax charges for the restructuring, including severance and other employee termination benefits. The company expected the severance-related actions to be completed in phases through April 2027.
These restructuring charges relate to the integration plan and should not be confused with a direct estimate of the financial savings from the separate Novato site consolidation.
Source: BioMarin’s SEC filing for the second quarter of 2026.
Which BioMarin Facilities Are Affected?
Novato, California
Novato is the location of the 117 planned job cuts announced in September 2026. It remains an important part of BioMarin’s manufacturing network.
The company’s reported plans indicate that some manufacturing activities will remain at the site, while activities associated with other products or facilities may be transferred or discontinued.
The announcement does not mean that BioMarin is closing all of its Novato operations.
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is the location of the 58 positions affected following BioMarin’s acquisition of Amicus Therapeutics.
The workforce changes were linked to integrating the acquired business and addressing overlapping functions. Available reporting did not establish that all operations at the Princeton location would close.
BioMarin also operates internationally, including a manufacturing facility in Shanbally, County Cork, Ireland. The reported Novato announcement does not establish that the Irish facility is affected by the same job cuts.
What Do the Layoffs Mean for BioMarin Employees?
Employees directly affected by a workforce reduction may face uncertainty about their jobs, benefits, and future employment opportunities.
BioMarin said it was committed to treating affected employees with respect and providing appropriate support and severance benefits consistent with company policies.
For employees who receive a formal layoff notice, the most useful next steps are to review the written notice, confirm the effective date, understand available severance and benefits, and contact the company’s human resources team about individual circumstances.
Employees should rely on official notices and direct company communications for details about their particular roles. Public reports do not provide the full employment circumstances of every affected individual.
Will BioMarin Continue Its Biotechnology Research?
The reported layoffs do not mean that BioMarin has stopped developing medicines or ended its work in rare diseases.
The company continues to develop and commercialize treatments for serious medical conditions. Its portfolio includes therapies for rare genetic diseases, and its acquisition of Amicus added medicines for Fabry and Pompe diseases.
In September 2026, BioMarin announced that it would discontinue development of VOXZOGO for children with Noonan syndrome. The company said the decision followed an assessment of study feasibility and the treatment landscape, and was not related to the drug’s safety or efficacy.
BioMarin stated that it remained committed to other programs, including VOXZOGO for children with hypochondroplasia and its BMN 333 program for achondroplasia.
These developments are separate from the stated reason for the November-to-December workforce changes in California. The company has described the Novato consolidation as part of its ongoing evaluation of its operational footprint.
Source: BioMarin’s official clinical trial update.
Frequently Asked Questions About BioMarin Layoffs
How many employees is BioMarin planning to lay off in California in 2026?
BioMarin plans to eliminate 117 positions at its Novato, California, site, according to reporting published on September 30, 2026. The reported effective date is December 4, 2026.
Why is BioMarin laying off employees?
The company has described the California changes as part of a consolidation into a smaller, more focused site. Separately, 58 positions were affected at the former Amicus headquarters in Princeton following the acquisition and integration of Amicus Therapeutics.
Are the BioMarin layoffs related to VOXZOGO?
BioMarin said the latest Novato consolidation was not related to its recent VOXZOGO development updates. The workforce changes were described as part of an ongoing review of the company’s operational footprint.
Did BioMarin acquire Amicus Therapeutics?
Yes. BioMarin completed its acquisition of Amicus Therapeutics on April 27, 2026. The deal expanded its portfolio of rare disease treatments and was followed by workforce changes associated with integrating the two organizations.
When will the California layoffs take effect?
The 117 planned job cuts at the Novato site are scheduled to take effect on December 4, 2026, according to the reported California WARN notice. Employees should check official notices for any changes to individual employment dates.
Is BioMarin closing its Novato facility?
The reported announcement describes a consolidation into a smaller site, not a complete closure of all Novato operations. BioMarin has said that Novato will remain its primary drug substance manufacturing site for Aldurazyme and Naglazyme.
Conclusion
The BioMarin layoffs announced in 2026 involve workforce changes in California and New Jersey. The 117 planned job cuts in Novato are associated with site consolidation, while the 58 positions affected at Amicus Therapeutics’ Princeton headquarters followed BioMarin’s acquisition of the company.
The two developments reflect separate aspects of organizational change: reviewing the company’s physical footprint and integrating an acquired business. Although these decisions affect employees, they do not by themselves indicate that BioMarin has stopped its broader work on treatments for rare diseases.
For the most accurate updates, readers should follow official company announcements, regulatory filings, and reliable biotechnology news publications. Any further changes to job numbers, dates, or facilities should be confirmed through updated reporting.
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