The move comes two months after the drugmaker released disappointing results of a large study of its Aggrenox blood thinner, which failed to meet its primary endpoint, and Barr Pharmaceuticals won a patent challenge on Mirapex, a med for restless leg syndrome, suggesting a generic rival is looming.

The neurology sales team, which peddles Aggrenox to neurologists for treating transient ischemic attacks and strokes, met last week in Chicago, where BI managers told them they are going to restructure. The bad news was delivered in lieu of a celebration of the Profess trial, which BI originally hoped would help Aggrenox grab market share from Plavix, the most widely used blood thinner.

The reps were told that about 200 of them - or about half of the neuro sales team - may be shifted to primary care sales forces or another specialty team, if jobs can be found. But there were no guarantees, according to our sources. When asked about the announcement, a Boehringer Ingelheim spokeswoman wrote back with a response that doesn’t deny that cuts are in the cards.

“Boehringer Ingelheim places tremendous value on our employees, including our sales associates, and continually strives to have the right skills and talents to meet our business needs. We continually evaluate our staffing in response to the highly competitive marketplace and communicate directly to our employees as decisions are made.”