Sanofi-Aventis announced last week that it is trimming its sales force in light of a thinning pipeline. The firm 

 that it would shed nearly 800 sales positions, up from approximately 600 positions originally reported.

 that 73 percent of out-of-work sales reps were finding new jobs at the same pay level or higher. For the other 27 percent, however, the outlook might not be hopeful.

"I don't think there's any chance of a significant bounce-back in hiring or rehiring of sales reps for major pharma companies," said Kevin Butler of executive search firm Heritage Partners International to 

"[This situation] is something that should have been initiated seven or more years ago, and for all the right reasons. Pharma companies delayed in hopes of new pipelines. Now in order to meet numbers and deliver for The Street, they are going to have to cut deep. This could well be the beginning of deeper cuts across major pharmas."

Layoffs like those at Sanofi might not be the death knell for all reps. According to Butler, good reps in specialized fields are finding jobs as salespeople in specialty pharma companies. Others might want to consider selling in a different industry.

"I am advising anyone coming out college to not go into pharma," Butler said.

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French drugmaker to cut 800 jobs, joining the long list of companies restructuring to make ends meet.

Sanofi-Aventis to Trim Sales Force

Amid the buzz of activity at this week's annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association, Roche—a company better known for its innovations in cancer—is placing bets on a foray into diabetes drugs. The company presented promising Phase II data on its lead diabetes compound taspoglutide, a dual action glucose control and weight loss injectable for Type II diabetes.

Luke Miles, head of strategic marketing for metabolic diseases at Roche told reporters on Tuesday that the treatment is now scheduled to begin Phase III trials. "We see metabolism as a large opportunity for patient needs," Miles said. "This is a disease that is growing, and growing rapidly, because of genetics, lifestyle and food choices."

The compound is based on a naturally occurring peptide in humans that is easily broken up with enzymes in the body. It regulates glucose by modifying it and making it resilient, which can stabilize glucagon-like peptide-1 in patients.

Roche presented two Phase II studies testing a range of doses, and concluded that 10mg and 20mg doses can help patients achieve their goal with minimal side effects of nausea and vomiting.

The drug showed that it could decrease blood glucose and facilitate weight loss in as little as eight weeks.


According to Miles, the biggest challenge is to maintain patient compliance through 20 years of treatment with pharmaceuticals. To make compliance easier—and distinguish taspoglutide from the competition—the medication is delivered once weekly using a pen-style injector with a hidden syringe.

"Most patients aren't looking forward to taking an injectable drug," said Miles. "They are not Type 1 diabetics. With this population, a physician has to convince them to inject themselves."

When asked if the treatment could be used to protect beta cells lacking insulin receptors—a much discussed topic at this year's ADA meeting—Miles replied, "Protecting beta cells has been the Holy Grail—but that has been difficult to do. There was one study that generated a debate, but we need to see a study where people are treated long term and then have the drug withdrawn and [see how they react]."

Roche expects to file taspoglutide in 2010.

Swiss pharma giant Roche was abuzz at ADA, announcing that its new diabetes treatment is set for Phase III trials and commenting on future plans for failed CETP inhibitor dalcetrapib.

Pharmaceutical Executive-06-11-2008

Sanofi-Aventis to Trim Sales Force

Roche Touts Positive Data for Investigational Diabetes Drug