AstraZeneca has halted its £200m Cambridge research site expansion, stalling its entire £650m UK investment plan.
The project, expected to create 1,000 jobs, joins the scrapped £450m vaccine facility in Merseyside.
A company spokesperson said investments are regularly reassessed and confirmed the Cambridge expansion is paused.
In contrast, AstraZeneca plans $50bn in US investments by 2030, funding new facilities and expanding labs across multiple states.
The pause follows a difficult week for UK pharma, including Merck scrapping a £1bn London research centre and laying off 125 staff.
Sir John Bell warned major drugmakers are reconsidering UK investments, citing an uncompetitive environment.
Sanofi echoed concerns, calling for a comprehensive Treasury plan to make UK life sciences globally competitive.
Eli Lilly also put its £279m London lab project on hold, adding to investment uncertainty.
Industry groups urge the NHS to reduce the clawback rate from nearly 23% to single digits to align with Europe.
Disputes over drug pricing and NHS payments have intensified, with officials considering reopening negotiations after recent breakdowns.
AstraZeneca Pauses £200m Cambridge Expansion Amid UK Pharma Setbacks
Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers is a freelance journalist based in Chicago, USA, with over 10 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. He graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of Florida. Over the years, he has contributed to leading outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, and Reuters. Recognized for his sharp reporting and thoughtful analysis, Andrew delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers updated on key national and global developments.
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