Avidity Biosciences files layoff notice for San Diego jobs

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Avidity Biosciences filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice with California on Oct. 29, 2026, listing 40 jobs at its San Diego site for layoff on Dec. 31. The filing is a notice of intent, not a report that the work has already ended.

For the affected workers, the notice starts a countdown: unemployment claims, health coverage decisions and any severance review now have a fixed date. For Avidity, it is a small reduction at a company whose public focus is RNA therapeutics for rare muscle diseases.

Why it matters

Forty San Diego biotech jobs now have a Dec. 31 end date, giving workers a fixed window to file for unemployment and review severance.

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Key Indicators

Workers affected

The notice lists 40 affected employees at 3020 Callan Road.

Notice-to-layoff window

Calendar days between the Oct. 29 notice and the Dec. 31 last day of work.

San Diego site

The filing names one location: 3020 Callan Road, San Diego, CA 92121.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Organizations Involved

Avidity Biosciences

Biotechnology company

Filed WARN notice for 40 San Diego jobs

Avidity Biosciences develops antibody oligonucleotide conjugates, a class of RNA therapeutics, with programs in rare muscle diseases.

California Employment Development Department

State agency

Publishes WARN notices for California employers

The state agency publishes WARN filings that report planned mass layoffs and closures.

Timeline

1 event Latest: 6 days ago

October 2026
Avidity files WARN notice for 40 San Diego jobs
Latest Filing

The notice lists 40 affected employees at 3020 Callan Road and a Dec. 31, 2026 layoff date. It is a filing of intent, not a report that jobs have ended.
6 days ago

Scenarios

Layoffs proceed as filed on Dec. 31

Likely Resolves by Jan 15, 2027

Discussed by: California EDD WARN record; company filing

The WARN notice sets a Dec. 31, 2026 last day for the 40 San Diego positions. If Avidity does not amend or withdraw the filing, the jobs end on that date and workers move to unemployment and severance decisions.

Avidity withdraws or reduces the San Diego layoff

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: WARN filings can be amended; no company statement cited

WARN notices can be amended or withdrawn before the effective date. If Avidity reduces the count or delays the layoff, the EDD record would show a change from the Oct. 29 filing.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

October 2026

Vistagen Therapeutics' second 2026 workforce cut

Vistagen Therapeutics cut about 31% of its remaining staff, completed Oct. 26, 2026, after its lead anxiety drug did not significantly outperform placebo in a Phase 2 study. The South San Francisco company had 41 full-time employees as of June 30.

Then

The company estimated about $1 million in severance costs and $3.2 million in annual savings.

Now

The cut preserved capital for late-stage work on fasedienol, but the drug's path remained uncertain.

Why this matters now

It shows how small biotechs use layoffs to extend cash runway after clinical setbacks. Avidity's WARN notice does not state a reason for its cut.

October 2026

Immutep cost cuts after Phase 3 futility (2026)

Immutep began cost cuts including layoffs after discontinuing its TACTI-004 Phase 3 study in non-small cell lung cancer. The Australia-based biotech did not specify the number of jobs affected.

Then

The company said the cuts would help its cash last well into the first half of 2028.

Now

The move shifted resources away from the failed lung cancer program.

Why this matters now

Another 2026 biotech reduction tied to a trial result. Avidity's filing is a WARN notice, not a disclosed clinical update.