Mayo Clinic to close unit, cut 30 jobs

Mayo Clinic is closing a unit and immediately cutting 30 jobs.

Mayo is closing its 100-person Mayo Clinical Trial Services because of anticipated future losses and a change in business strategy.

The clinic says the clinical trials unit is no longer accepting new contracts and that 30 employees' jobs will end immediately. Another 27 positions will be eliminated in 2009.

A Mayo spokesman says it's hoped that most of the laid-off employees will find new jobs either within the Department of Lab Medicine or elsewhere in Mayo Clinic.

Clinical Trials Services started in 1991. It does scientific product testing under contract for drug companies, medical device makers and other biotechnology firms.

The unit will fulfill all current contracts that extend until 2010.

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