A Massachusetts company with the same founders as a pharmacy tied to a deadly meningitis outbreak says it’s laying off nearly all its employees amid its prolonged closure for inspection.

Ameridose employees were notified of the layoffs Thursday November 8th.

A company spokesman says the notice affects 650 employees at Ameridose and 140 employees at its marketing and support arm. He says a small number will be retained amid an ongoing product recall. Ameridose LLC says it hopes the layoffs will be temporary.

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The Westborough company paid its employees since it voluntarily closed for inspection Oct. 10 because of problems at the New England Compounding Center pharmacy, a sister company. The meningitis outbreak has been linked to a steroid made by the NECC, in Framingham, near Boston.

Regulators last week asked Ameridose to remain closed until Nov. 19.