Bayer HealthCare is ending production of its multiple sclerosis drug Betaseron in Emeryville, Calif. and taking it to Germany, according to Fierce Pharma. The production move will cut about 540 jobs.  Betaseron will be produced under a contract with Boehringer Ingelheim.

"We are really proud of the employees here in Emeryville and what they've done," said Catherine Anderson, a spokeswoman for Bayer HealthCare, according to the Contra Costa Times. "It has nothing to do with site performance, but rather about Bayer trying to get greater flexibility in this marketplace."

A Bayer spokesman pointed out that the drugmaker operates another manufacturing facility in Berkeley that is undergoing a $100 million upgrade to make the company's new hemophilia therapy, a local station reported. Employees at the Emeryville facility will have the opportunity to apply for jobs at the Berkeley plant.