New research base ‘will boost Britain’

The group revealed today it will build a new £330m research and development (R&D) site on Cambridge Biomedical Campus in the south of the city by 2016, employing about 2,000 staff.

The group will merge its small molecule and biologics R&D at the site under plans aim to make AstraZeneca a “global leader in biopharmacuetical innovation”. The drug group will also move its corporate headquarters to the site from London.

The new 11-acre site will become AstraZeneca’s biggest centre for cancer research, as well as hosting scientists focusing on cardiovascular, metabolic, respiratory, inflammation and autoimmune diseases.

AstraZeneca chief executive Pascal Soriot said: “Cambridge competes on the global stage as a respected innovation hub for life sciences and our choice of site puts us at the heart of this important ecosystem, providing valuable collaboration opportunities.

“Moving to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus means our people will be able to rub shoulders with some of the world’s best scientists and clinicians carrying out some of the world’s leading research - that’s a really exciting prospect.

“Today’s announcement also confirms AstraZeneca’s long-standing commitment to the UK and increases the chances that the next generation of medicines will be discovered here in Britain.”

AstraZeneca announced plans for the new R&D site in March, but did not confirm the exact location until today.

The company has also announced plans to cease R&D at Alderley Park in Cheshire, with about 1,600 roles moving from the site over the next three years.

Combined with the closure of its London headquarters, the group expects to cut about 700 UK jobs by 2016.

AstraZeneca’s biologics arm MedImmune already employs about 500 staff in Cambridge.

David Willetts, minister for universities and science, said: “AstraZeneca’s investment is excellent news for the UK life sciences industry. It strengthens our global competitiveness and supports our aim of making the UK the best place in the world for the discovery and commercialisation of medical innovations.”