January 31, 2025

expert reaction to news that AstraZeneca has scrapped plans for a £450m expansion of a vaccine factory in Merseyside

Scientists comment on AstraZeneca scrapping plans for a UK based vaccine plant. 

Sharon Todd, Chief Executive, Society of Chemical Industry (SCI), said:

“Today’s news regarding AstraZeneca’s vaccine factory is a real concern for industry, sending out the wrong message at a time government is shaping its new industrial strategy, Invest 2035. 

“Since 2013 inward FDI in life sciences has grown at a CAGR of 6% (2013-2023) across 18 major countries, however the UK growth in FDI was only 3%, falling way short of most of the other countries, which include France, Germany, Ireland and Singapore. 

“If life sciences are going to be a major pillar of the UK’s new industrial strategy, then the UK needs to make some bold steps forward to ensure it is competitive for life sciences investments.”

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