In a blow that will be considered significant to the Government’s vision of the UK as a global hub for the life sciences, US pharmaceutical giant Merck is scrapping a planned £1bn expansion of its UK operations, saying the Government is not investing enough in the sector.
Known as MSD in Europe, Merck developed temozolomide and has recently increased its focus on glioblastoma. It said it would move its life sciences research to the US and cut UK jobs, blaming successive governments for undervaluing innovative medicines.
However, this isn't just about one company. There is genuine concern that this could trigger other major pharmaceutical companies to stop investing in the UK. In January, AstraZeneca walked away from plans to invest £450 million in expanding a vaccine manufacturing plant in Merseyside, blaming reduced Government support.
Merck had already begun construction on a site in London's King's Cross, which was due to be completed by 2027, but said it no longer planned to occupy it.
Our Director of Research, Policy and Innovation Dr Karen Noble commented “Clearly this loss of investment in the UK life sciences sector is a matter of concern for all of us desperate for clinical advancements for our patient cohort. We need an understanding of what is driving companies to make these decisions and where flexibility might offer greater incentives. We believe the intent is there to deliver a world-class sector but that may need compromise and challenge to be delivered, and that applies to Government and to industry. In an area like brain tumours the prize is too great to allow inflexibility to stand in the way of advancement.”
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