Nerviano, NMS opens a branch in Shanghai. The union is furious: "It's outsourcing, but here they're cutting research."

Nerviano (Milan), August 2, 2025 – "While there is talk of a vague restructuring of the Nerviano hub, NMS announces the establishment of a new subsidiary in China to strengthen its oncology pipeline. A relocation process is underway, which strikes at the heart of the entire research, development, and innovation structure previously located in Lombardy, particularly in Nerviano ." Filctem Cgil Lombardia and Cgil Ticino Olona welcomed the latest news from NMS with great concern, denouncing the total lack of transparency and the concrete risk of dismantling a center of excellence in Italian oncology research .

NMS workers protest in Nerviano, with over 100 workers at risk.

The news in question comes just weeks after the decision to dismantle —or restructure, as the owners have specified—the NMS research division in Nerviano. "We are shocked and deeply concerned to learn that Nerviano Medical Sciences has announced, through an official press release, the establishment of a new subsidiary in Shanghai, China, with the stated goal of strengthening its oncology pipeline and consolidating strategic partnerships in the Asian market," explains Luisa Perego. and Mario Principe CGIL Ticino Olona –. This decision confirms what we have been forcefully denouncing for weeks. A relocation process is underway. The nature and timing of the company's communication appear even more serious considering that, just a few days ago, during the hearing before the Lombardy Region's Fourth Commission for Productive Activities, the company explicitly denied any relocation plans, citing internal rationalization and cost reduction. A denial that today is revealed to be not only false, but also exploitative and seriously damaging to trust between the parties.

For weeks now, there has been strong concern among employees and researchers about their employment future.

According to the CGIL, what is being presented as a simple "international expansion" is the result of a global strategy that "weakens Italy's scientific and industrial base, threatens dozens of skilled jobs, and compromises the future of public oncology research in our country."

CGIL therefore urgently calls for the immediate opening of an inter-ministerial discussion with the involvement of the Lombardy Region and trade unions; the definition of a public industrial plan that will ensure the continuity of oncology research and halt any outsourcing or divestment; and the suspension of all dismissal procedures until a transparent and shared plan for the future of the Nerviano site is developed.