Roche reorg of Spark delivers layoffs

Roche Group’s “fundamental reorganization” of Spark Therapeutics is underway, with three waves of layoffs affecting approximately 300 workers.

Roche, which acquired Spark in a $4.3 billion deal in 2019, revealed the reorg in January 2025, with plans to keep certain activities at Spark’s sites in Philadelphia, while fully integrating other parts into Roche’s broader pharmaceuticals division.

Now, according to the WARN notice, the layoffs, which will cut from three different Philadelphia sites, will happen as follows: May 9, 2025 - 124 workers, July 1, 2025 – 112 workers and December 31, 2025 – 62 workers.

Spark had previously trimmed its staff and its development programs in July 2024, axing an undisclosed amount of workers as well as pipeline assets, including a gene therapy for Pompe disease.