Catalent has been hit by another round of workforce reductions at its Maryland operations, marking the latest chapter in an ongoing contraction affecting the state’s gene therapy manufacturing footprint.
According to a Maryland WARN filing, the company plans to eliminate 96 positions across its Harmans gene therapy campus and Baltimore operations, with the layoffs taking effect this spring. The move follows multiple rounds of reductions in 2025 that collectively impacted more than 400 employees statewide.
A Continuing Trend
This latest action builds on significant cuts announced last year:
- August 2025: Approximately 350 positions eliminated across Harmans and Baltimore, attributed to shifting demand from a major commercial customer.
- November 2025: An additional 77 Maryland-based roles reduced as the company continued adjusting its gene therapy operations.
Taken together, the reductions represent one of the most substantial workforce contractions in Maryland’s advanced biomanufacturing sector in recent years.
Market Pressures Reshaping Gene Therapy Manufacturing
Catalent’s Maryland facilities were expanded aggressively during the height of gene therapy investment, when clinical pipelines were flush and commercialization projections were strong. However, demand volatility — including reduced production needs from key commercial programs — has forced CDMOs nationwide to reassess capacity and staffing levels.
The result is a recalibration across the sector. And in Maryland, that recalibration has real consequences for highly skilled scientists, engineers, quality professionals, and manufacturing specialists who helped build the region’s reputation as a national leader in advanced therapeutics production.
The Immediate Workforce Reality
Maryland’s long-term development pipeline remains strong. NatureCell has announced plans to build in Baltimore. AstraZeneca continues expanding in Frederick and Gaithersburg. Other global players maintain a significant presence across the BioHealth Capital Region.
But much of that capacity will not come online until closer to 2029.
For experienced professionals impacted today, that timeline offers little immediate relief.
Maryland cannot rely solely on future construction projects to stabilize its workforce. The state already has ready-to-operate, purpose-built manufacturing infrastructure capable of supporting advanced biologics and gene therapy production right now. What’s needed is accelerated business attraction — companies willing to move into existing capacity and invest in hiring.
There is cautious optimism surrounding Samsung Biologics’ acquisition of the former GSK Rockville facility. Industry stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether Samsung expands its Maryland footprint and workforce. Such a move could provide meaningful near-term momentum.
But hope alone is not a strategy.
A Call for Coordinated Action
How long can this workforce wait for jobs?
This moment underscores the need for even stronger, coordinated business attraction efforts and increased investment in Maryland’s bioeconomy. Strategic incentives, site marketing, and proactive global outreach will be essential to backfill capacity and keep Maryland’s highly trained workforce engaged. Workforce is the #1 factor that companies evaluate with site selections, and the workforce is HERE in Maryland – for now.
It is also exactly why BioBuzz helped design and launch the BioCatalyst program with the support from TEDCO’s EGF program. This industry partnership was built to raise the collective voice of Maryland’s life sciences community and empower a pipeline of new workers.
BioCatalyst exists to:
- Amplify Maryland’s innovation successes
- Spotlight workforce talent and career pathways
- Strengthen employer branding across the state
- Elevate coordinated messaging to attract new companies and national investment
Moments like this demand alignment. Fragmented voices dilute impact. Coordinated industry leadership accelerates it.
Maryland has the infrastructure.
Maryland has the talent.
What’s needed now is collective action to connect the two — before skilled professionals leave the ecosystem.
If you believe in strengthening Maryland’s bioeconomy and ensuring opportunity for today’s workforce — not just tomorrow’s — we invite you to join us. Contact us today to learn more.
BioBuzz will continue tracking developments and highlighting solutions that turn disruption into long-term resilience for the BioHealth Capital Region.
