AstraZeneca Commits £650M Expansion for UK Vaccine Hub and Research Campus

- AstraZeneca announces a £650 million investment in the UK to enhance public health protection and pandemic preparedness.
- £450 million will be allocated for vaccine research, development, and manufacturing in Speke, Liverpool, with the facility designed to be operationally net-zero using renewable energy sources.
- An additional £200 million will expand AstraZeneca's presence in Cambridge, housing approximately 1,000 employees and located adjacent to the £1.1 billion global R&D Discovery Centre (DISC).
- The UK government is considering providing financial support to AstraZeneca, potentially exceeding £100 million.
- The investment follows previous comments by AstraZeneca's CEO Pascal Soriot regarding the UK's tax environment and business climate, which he had previously described as discouraging for investment.
- The investment is seen as a vote of confidence in the UK's life sciences sector and its role as a global life sciences superpower.
- The UK government has delivered a competitive business tax regime to drive investment and growth, including full expensing and other tax incentives.
- The investment is contingent upon mutual agreement with the UK Government and third parties, as well as successful completion of regulatory processes.