Biopharma layoffs slowed year over year in Q1 2026, but total affected employees rose, largely driven by company-specific cut plans. BioSpace tallied 35 biopharma companies making or projecting layoffs in Q1 2026 versus 74 in Q1 2025. However, total employees affected increased to 6,593 from 5,926, with Viatris planning up to 10% global workforce reductions over the next three years, potentially impacting about 3,000 staffers. Evotec’s strategic reorganization was also cited as a major driver, with plans to cut as many as 800 employees while reducing its global footprint. The report suggests biotech workforce actions are becoming more targeted rather than broad-based, even as some firms continue to reshape operations amid funding uncertainty and post-peak cost pressure.