AstraZeneca to invest $120m in new UK process r&d laboratory

AstraZeneca is to invest $120m in a new process research and development laboratory at Macclesfield in Cheshire, UK. This is the largest single investment to date at the Macclesfield site.

The facility will house multidisciplinary teams of scientists and specialists involved in chemistry, analytical, process engineering and project management. The building will accommodate around 170 people, most of whom are employed already by the company. The lab is sufficiently flexible to accommodate a further 50 people within pre-planned expansion areas.

Construction will start on the new facility with immediate effect, with an aim to commence operations in mid 2009.

The laboratory will focus primarily on the company's emerging portfolio in oncology and infection, in addition to new potential treatments in the area of neuroscience, linking with other major r&d facilities in Alderley Park, Cheshire; and Boston and Wilmington in the US. The facility will also have the capability to handle potential treatments from AstraZeneca's other therapeutic interests.

'This laboratory will play an important role in strengthening our pipeline of new potential treatments for serious medical disorders,' said Bryan Mobbs, AstraZeneca vice president, process r&d, at Macclesfield. 'Our goal is to increase the speed at which we can bring new medicines to market safely and cost-effectively. Process research and development makes a very important contribution in this area.'