AstraZeneca has halted a £200m expansion of its Cambridge research site, stalling its entire £650m UK investment plan.
The Cambridge project, expected to create 1,000 jobs, follows the scrapped £450m vaccine facility in Merseyside.
An AstraZeneca spokesperson said the expansion is paused after reassessing the company’s investment needs.
In contrast, AstraZeneca plans $50bn in US investments by 2030, funding facilities in Virginia, Maryland, and Texas.
The decision adds to a tough week for UK pharma, with Merck canceling a £1bn London research centre and cutting 125 jobs.
Sir John Bell warned other major pharma companies are likely to halt UK investments without stronger incentives.
Sanofi called for a “proper plan from the Treasury” to make the UK competitive for life sciences.
Eli Lilly also paused its £279m London gateway lab project, delaying research collaboration and innovation.
Industry groups are pushing for NHS pricing reform and a lower clawback rate to align with European levels.
AstraZeneca Pauses £200m Cambridge Expansion Amid UK Pharma Setbacks
Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers is a freelance journalist based in the USA, with over 10 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. He earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Florida. Throughout his career, he has contributed to outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, and Reuters. Known for his clear reporting and in-depth analysis, Andrew delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on both national and international developments.
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