AstraZeneca Pauses £200m Cambridge Expansion Amid UK Pharma Setbacks

AstraZeneca has halted its £200m expansion in Cambridge, leaving its £650m UK investment package on hold.
The project, expected to create 1,000 jobs, joins the cancelled £450m vaccine facility in Merseyside.
An AstraZeneca spokesperson said the company continually reassesses investment needs and provided no further comment.
The pause contrasts with $50bn US investments, funding facilities in Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Indiana, and Texas.
Merck also scrapped a £1bn London research centre, laying off 125 scientists, further hitting UK life sciences.
Sir John Bell warned other pharmaceutical giants may stop investing in the UK due to uncertainty.
Sanofi called for a clear Treasury plan, pausing UK investments until the environment becomes internationally competitive.
Eli Lilly suspended its £279m London lab, adding to industry concerns over UK research conditions.
The sector pressures the NHS to lower clawback rates on drug revenues from nearly 23% to single digits.
Negotiations with Health Secretary Wes Streeting remain unresolved, highlighting tension between UK pharma and government policy.