AstraZeneca Commits £300M to UK Sites After Paused Projects

AstraZeneca has announced a £300 million investment in the UK, marking a reversal after previously pausing major projects. 

The company said it will restart a £200 million expansion at its Cambridge campus and invest a further £100 million in its Macclesfield site. The Cambridge project includes completing an office building, while the Macclesfield investment will support development of a new research facility using digital and data tools. 

The investment was announced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who said it would help protect jobs. AstraZeneca employs around 10,000 people in the UK, including large workforces in both Cambridge and Macclesfield. 

The company had previously halted investment plans amid concerns about the UK business environment, including access to medicines and pricing conditions. 

The renewed commitment follows a UK-U.S. agreement on drug pricing, which includes lower prices in the U.S., increased NHS spending on medicines and the avoidance of certain trade tariffs for UK pharmaceutical companies.