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AstraZeneca announced a major restructuring with a substantial impact on its operations in the UK, including both job losses and investment for building new headquarters in Cambridge.
Professor John Hardy, Professor of Neuroscience, UCL, said:
“This is a terrible blow to the UK Pharma industry. While I am sure it has many interrelated causes, the following factors must have played a part: first, short-termism in terms of the need for longterm investment in drug development pipelines (it has always proven easier for companies to get quick money for their shareholders by mergers) and second, a hostile regulatory climate towards animal, especially rodent, work. The contrasting history of the pharma industry in the UK compared with that in Switzerland and Germany is informative in these regards. Our German/Swiss counterparts are still thriving whilst the UK industry has largely disappeared. Poor leadership and heavy handed regulation are undoubtedly part of the problem.”
Steve Bates, BioIndustry Association (BIA) Chief Executive Officer, said:
“I am pleased that AstraZeneca has seen the value of the UK as a global hub for bioscience and we welcome its £330 million investment in consolidating its R&D activities and its global headquarters in Cambridge.
“AstraZeneca’s decision recognises the strengths of the UK in terms of its science base, biotech capabilities and position as a leading centre for business.”
President of the British Pharmacological Society (BPS), Professor Phil Routledge, said:
“The AstraZeneca team at Alderley Park has been a key player in UK drug development and it should be recognised that many lives have been saved due to its development of important medicines, including the beta-blockers discovered by BPS member and Nobel Prize winning pharmacologist, Sir James Black during his time with the then ICI Laboratories. BPS has successfully provided careers support for its members through periods of change in the recent past. We are working with cross-sector partners to try to future-proof both UK pharmacology and the skills of our pharmacologists. At the same time, we warmly welcome new models for drug discovery capabilities and any investment they might result in.”
David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, said:
“AstraZeneca’s decision to invest £330 million in a world leading R&D facility in Cambridge is a real vote of confidence in the UK life sciences sector.
“They chose to make this major investment in the UK after considering options around the world. Our strategy for life sciences provides a very competitive environment in the UK to conduct highly skilled research keeping us ahead in the global race.”
In response to plans for Alderley Park, David Willetts said,
“Clearly the decision to reduce R&D activity at Alderley Park is disappointing. But the government will work closely with AstraZeneca and local partners to ensure this excellent facility has a prosperous future with new opportunities for the site.
“I have agreed with AstraZeneca and local leaders that a taskforce will be established to coordinate work to support Alderley Park staff and the local economy during the transition. This will work to ensure a sustainable, thriving future for the site. The Taskforce will be jointly led by Chris Brinsmead, the Government’s Life Sciences Champion, and Clive Morris, a Vice President of AstraZeneca, alongside local partners.”
Dr Mark Downs, Chief Executive of the Society of Biology, said:
“It is a sad day for many in the UK’s pharmaceutical industry. On top of the closure of the Pfizer Sandwich site this latest announcement of at least 700 job losses at AstraZeneca risks further reducing the UK’s collective capability in Drug Development. The UK is a world leader in the field and we must ensure we retain the key skills and people to continue this strong track record. The Cambridge investment is a hopeful step but many more of these large scale collaborations are needed to ensure we can address the significant need to develop new medicines.”
Beck Smith, Acting Director of The Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE), said:
“AstraZeneca’s decision to build a new strategic centre in Cambridge shows just how important accessing the best research and opportunities for collaboration are to industry. However, it’s disappointing that today’s announcement is coupled with job losses at existing sites.
“The Government must continue to invest in our world-leading research base to ensure that we are not only seen as a place to locate by industry, but also supportive of UK researchers and innovators starting their own companies.”