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, joins the canceled £450m vaccine facility in Merseyside.
AstraZeneca cited reassessment of investment needs but offered no further comment on the pause.
In contrast, the company pledged $50bn in US investments by 2030, including new facilities in Virginia, Maryland, and Texas.
The move follows a week of negative news for UK pharma, including Merck scrapping a £1bn London research centre.
Sir John Bell warned other major drug companies are likely to stop investing in the UK.
Sanofi called on the Treasury to create a competitive life sciences environment before new investments proceed.
Eli Lilly also paused its £279m London gateway lab project, deepening concerns for the sector.
Industry groups argue the NHS must spend more on medicines and reduce clawback rates to align with Europe.
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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