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• AstraZeneca intends to invest 拢450 million to research, develop and manufacture vaccines in Speke, Liverpool, a facility which will be operationally net zero with power supplied from renewable energy sources.
• A further 拢200 million investment announced to expand AstraZeneca鈥檚 presence in Cambridge, employing 1,000 people.
• Total new investment in the UK of 拢650 million 鈥� enhancing public health protection and pandemic preparedness.

Today (6 March) pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca has outlined plans to invest 拢650 million in the UK 鈥� helping boost the UK鈥檚 world leading Life Sciences sector and grow the economy. This significant investment will enhance public health protection and pandemic preparedness.聽聽聽

AstraZeneca intends to invest 拢450 million at their manufacturing site in Speke, Liverpool for the research, development, and manufacture of vaccines 鈥� building on the site鈥檚 current role in supplying the world leading childhood vaccination programme. The new facility will be designed and built to be operationally net zero with power supplied from renewable energy sources.聽

In a further boost for the UK鈥檚 resilience for future pandemics and global health threats, AstraZeneca and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) plan to work in partnership to advance science for developing and evaluating vaccines 鈥� using technology from both AstraZeneca鈥檚 manufacturing site in Speke and the UKHSA鈥檚 Vaccine Development Evaluation Centre (VDEC) at their Porton Down site.聽

AstraZeneca will also expand its presence at Europe鈥檚 largest life sciences cluster in聽Cambridge with 拢200 million in investment. The facility will house around 1,000 employees and will be adjacent to its 拢1.1 billion global R&D Discovery Centre (DISC), which already hosts 2,300 researchers and scientists.聽These jobs will provide opportunities for people looking to get the skills they need to succeed in life and 鈥� with cuts to National Insurance 鈥� enjoy more money in their pocket as a result of their hard work.聽

To drive investment and growth, the UK Government has delivered one of the most competitive business tax regimes of any major economy 鈥� sticking to an economic plan to build a stronger economy where hard work is rewarded, and ambition and aspiration are celebrated.聽Full expensing is one of the biggest business tax cuts in modern British history, giving the UK the most generous regime for capital allowances in the G7 and joint most generous in the OECD.聽

The plans outlined today are the latest step in the wider plan to deliver the long-term change that Britain needs 鈥� to deliver a brighter future and improve economic security and opportunity for everyone. This demonstrates the vast Life Sciences expertise and capability in this country and will further strengthen AstraZeneca鈥檚 UK footprint. The company will also open a new manufacturing facility for one of its cancer medicines in Macclesfield later this year, following the announcement of a 拢380 million investment in 2021.聽

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said:聽

To drive investment we鈥檝e delivered one of the most competitive business tax regimes of any major economy, as part of our plan to help our key industries to grow. Our 拢108 billion Life Sciences sector provides over 300,000 high skilled jobs across the UK and is crucial for the country鈥檚 health, wealth and resilience.

We are sticking to our plan to make the UK one of the best places in world to invest in developing and manufacturing new, innovative medicines - both protecting public health and growing our economy. AstraZeneca鈥檚 investment plans are a vote of confidence in the attractiveness of UK as a Life Sciences superpower and strengthen our resilience for future health emergencies.

AstraZeneca Chief Executive Officer, Sir Pascal Soriot, said:聽

AstraZeneca鈥檚 planned investment would enhance the UK鈥檚 pandemic preparedness and demonstrates our ongoing confidence in UK life sciences.聽 We will continue to support the UK in driving innovation and patient access, building on the strong foundations which have been put in place.聽

This year marks 25 years since the merger of UK-based Zeneca Group and Swedish Astra AB. We are proud of our British roots and how far we have come over that time 鈥� we are now a truly global company that has transformed the lives of millions of patients throughout the world with a relentless focus on science and innovation.

Dr Isabel Oliver, Chief Scientific Officer at UKHSA, said:聽

This investment will bolster the development of the UK鈥檚 vaccine capabilities and life sciences sector 鈥� critical components of the country鈥檚 resilience to future health threats.聽

UKHSA majors on researching and developing new ways to strengthen the country鈥檚 defences against all health hazards 鈥� including future pandemics 鈥� and works routinely with a range of commercial and academic partners. We are looking forward to working with AstraZeneca to collectively protect the population鈥檚 health.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins said:聽

The UK is a global leader in the research and development of life saving vaccines. Today鈥檚 announcement is testament to this country鈥檚 Life Science capabilities 鈥� and our continued commitment to pandemic preparedness and global health.聽聽

As well as creating new highly-skilled jobs, this investment will help maintain the UK鈥檚 position at the forefront of tackling emerging diseases, and support our work to make our healthcare system faster, simpler and fairer.

Further information

• AstraZeneca鈥檚 investment decision is contingent upon mutual agreement with the UK Government and third parties, and successful completion of regulatory processes. Any final commitment is not solely subject to AstraZeneca鈥檚 discretion.