As a result of losing patent protection of its top-selling Alzheimer's disease treatment Aricept, Eisai plans to cut 900 jobs over the next five years, according to Fierce Pharma. The jobs will come from U.S., Japanese and European operations.

With revenue flat, Eisai said it will have to cut at least 900 jobs to keep margins up as it slashes prices to compete with cheap generic versions of Aricept. The drug came off patent last November, and had accounted for about 40% of sales.