A cold shower at Nerviano Medical Sciences: the Chinese fund intends to lay off 100 researchers.
July 18, 2025
A group of researchers from Nerviano Medical Sciences who took part in the sit-in organised this morning in front of the pharmaceutical centre
Nerviano (Milan), July 18, 2025 – Cease the group's research activities and, consequently, proceed with the dismissal of around one hundred employees of Nerviano Medical Sciences , a center of excellence for pharmaceutical research: this is the announcement made at Assolombarda's headquarters in Milan on Tuesday, July 15, by the majority shareholder, the Hong Kong-based Pag Fund , through the management of NMS , surprising the unions. It was a real cold shower, which came unexpectedly and prompted the start of the strike.
"The trade unions and all NMS Group employees, gathered at the assembly," the unions shared in a statement, "express deep concern about the job losses and suspect that this represents only the beginning of the dismantling of NMS's operations, a center that has always been committed to the research, development, and production of anti-cancer drugs . The general assembly of workers has decided to initiate a state of unrest, with mobilizations and the involvement of regional and national institutions, so that they can take action to block the layoffs and the dismantling of the last oncology research center capable of ensuring the entire development of an anti-cancer drug, from research to production."
Attending Tuesday's meeting , which was expected to provide information on the industrial plan and investments, were Daniele Calcaterra of Femca Cisl , Luciano Pellizzaro, secretary of Filctem Cgil Ticino Olona, and Giandonato Di Pietro of Uiltec Uil: "Of the approximately 120 researchers working at NMS within one of the group's companies, over a hundred are at risk following the owners' announcement on Tuesday, which came suddenly and without even the CEO being present at the meeting," explains Daniele Calcaterra . " The owners wanted to begin the process immediately because they believe the very survival of the group depends on the cessation of research: we managed to postpone any decision until September."
"Nerviano ," Calcaterra continues, "is a center of absolute excellence, with a group of high-level researchers who have written a piece of research history in this country. This is why we believe the mobilization should involve not only local and regional institutional representatives, but also at the state level." This morning, union flags were once again flying at the entrance to the Nerviano headquarters, with a mobilization that will lead first to a ban on overtime.
Il Giorno
