Astellas Closes Universal Cells Seattle to Consolidate Research

Tokyo-based Astellas Pharma is closing the Seattle office of its wholly owned subsidiary, Universal Cells, which specializes in the creation of engineered, allogeneic stem cells. According to reporting from BioSpace on April 14, 2026, the closure will impact 50 employees.

The company is consolidating its research operations for cell therapy, gene therapy, and oncology. These operations will be moved to Astellas sites located in Westborough, Massachusetts, and South San Francisco, California.

Layoff Timeline and Employee Impact

A Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice indicates that the workforce reduction will occur in multiple waves. These layoffs are scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026, and will continue through April 1, 2028.

While 50 employees are slated for layoffs, the company has provided some alternatives to separation. A small number of affected positions will be transferred to the research locations in Massachusetts and California.

staff members who secure internal transfer opportunities or roles with other Astellas corporate affiliates before their designated separation date will not be let go as part of these cuts.

Strategic Consolidation Goals

Although the WARN notice did not provide a specific reason for the closure, an Astellas spokesperson provided further detail to the Puget Sound Business Journal. The spokesperson stated that the decision is part of a broader effort to align the company’s research and development organization to ensure long-term sustainability.

The company aims to achieve several goals through this consolidation, including:

• Increasing efficiency within its research footprint
• Strengthening scientific collaboration
• Concentrating critical capabilities

According to the spokesperson, these changes are intended to ensure that Astellas’ research platforms remain competitive, scalable, and positioned for long-term impact.