AstraZeneca has halted a £200m expansion of its Cambridge research site, stalling its full £650m UK investment plan.
The project was expected to create 1,000 jobs and follows the scrapped £450m vaccine facility in Merseyside.
A spokesperson said the company continually reassesses investment needs and confirmed the Cambridge project is paused.
In contrast, AstraZeneca plans $50bn in US investments by 2030, including facilities in Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Indiana, and Texas.
The pause follows a week of negative news for UK pharma, including Merck scrapping a £1bn London research centre.
Merck’s UK Discovery Centre was under construction and expected to employ 800 people before cancellation.
Sir John Bell warned major pharmaceutical companies are halting UK investments due to an uncompetitive environment.
Sanofi called for a clear Treasury plan, pausing UK investment until the life sciences sector becomes globally competitive.
Eli Lilly also put its £279m London lab project on hold amid uncertainty over UK regulations.
The industry urges NHS pricing reforms, including reducing the clawback rate from nearly 23% to single digits.
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.
