Fri, 12 Sep 2025

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 AstraZeneca pauses £200m Cambridge investment

Its decision comes as the industry says there is a lack of government investment and as the US pressures firms to invest there.

* AstraZeneca has paused plans to invest £200m at a Cambridge research site, which was set to create 1,000 jobs.
* The project's pause comes after Merck scrapped its £1bn UK expansion due to a lack of government investment.
* Pharmaceutical companies are looking to invest in the US following President Trump's threats of tariffs on drug imports.
* AstraZeneca has already announced plans to invest $50bn (£36.9bn) in the US on medicines manufacturing and R&D.
* The company cited "protracted" talks and a reduction in government support as reasons for scrapping its previous investment plans in the UK.
* This is not the first time AstraZeneca has paused or scrapped investment plans in the UK, having previously shelved plans to invest £450m in expanding a vaccine manufacturing plant in Merseyside.
* The strength of the economy is affected by factors such as government support and trade policies, which can impact investment decisions.
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