GlaxoSmithKline to close Italian centre

Verona: GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Britain’s biggest drug- maker, plans to close a facility in Verona, Italy, affecting more than 500 research jobs, labour unions said.

Glaxo’s northern Italian centre, which specialises in neuroscience research, will be closed by the end of this year, the Filcem-Cgil, Femca-Cisl and Uilcem-Uil unions said in a joint e-mailed statement last night. Six facilities worldwide beside Verona will be closed by Glaxo, the unions added.