AstraZeneca to invest $85m in cancer research facility

AstraZeneca is to invest US$85m(€79m) on a new cancer research building at Alderley Park in the UK.

It will house high tech laboratories for 243 discovery scientists, chemistry and biosciences staff, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facilities and support personnel. The building's design will enhance the discovery research process by creating interaction between scientific disciplines, together with flexible open spaces and meeting areas to stimulate discussion and knowledge sharing amongst scientists.

The investment is part of the company's strategic goal for Alderley Park Discovery to increase candidate drug output each year. It will be the largest single investment to date at the site; over the last three years AZ has spent more than $250m (€232m) on state-of-the-art laboratory and office accommodation and site infrastructure.

Les Hughes, global vp cancer and infection research area, said: 'The AstraZeneca centre for oncology research at Alderley Park has consistently delivered world-leading medicines for the business. The discovery teams have built an industry-leading capability in key areas of cancer research that has led to the development of medicines in an area of high unmet medical need, realising huge benefits for patients as well as growth for the business.'