News

Posted On: 02/22/2007

AstraZeneca Invests $120 Million in Process R&D Lab

PharmaManufacturing.com

AstraZeneca is to invest $120 million in a new Process Research and Development (PR&D) Laboratory at its Macclesfield site, Cheshire, UK. Earlier this month, the company announced it would cut 700 manufacturing jobs at that same site.

PR&D discovers and develops the manufacturing routes for the active ingredients in potential new medicines. This facility will house multi-disciplinary teams of scientists and specialists involved in chemistry, analytical, process engineering and project management. The building will accommodate around 170 people, most of whom are employed already by the company. The laboratory is sufficiently flexible to accommodate 50 additional people within pre-planned expansion areas.

The PR&D facility represents the largest single investment to date at this particular location. Construction will start on the new facility immediately, with an aim to commence operations in mid-2009.

As an important part of AstraZeneca’s global strategy in strengthening its pipeline of new products, the laboratory will focus primarily on the company’s emerging portfolio in oncology and infection, in addition to new potential treatments in the area of neuroscience, linking with other major R&D facilities in Alderley Park, Cheshire, UK, and Boston, Mass. and Wilmington, Del. in the U.S. The facility will have the capability to handle potential treatments from AstraZeneca’s other therapeutic interests also, to balance the company’s global PR&D capacity.

Bryan Mobbs, AstraZeneca vice president, PR&D at Macclesfield, said: "This laboratory will play an important role in strengthening our pipeline of new potential treatments for serious medical disorders. Our goal is to increase the speed in which we can bring new medicines to market safely and cost-effectively. Process Research and Development makes a very important contribution in this area."