AstraZeneca has received a £5m government grant to create a science centre at its Alderley Park site.
Dubbed the ‘BioScience cluster,’ the pharmaceutical firm wants to build a hub for outside companies to use for pharmaceutical innovation and biotech enterprise in the north west. It would be based at the research and development site in Alderley Edge and provide facilities for small businesses and individuals on research projects.
The £5m investment is from the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ Regional Growth Fund and any companies located on the site would have access to all AstraZeneca’s facilities and know-how.
Martin Mackay, research and development president said the move will help develop new medicines.
"By combining our capabilities with those of our partners and other enterprises, we aim to create a hub of scientific innovation with the potential to discover the medicines that people will need in years to come," he said.
Dr Chris Doherty, Alderley Park project leader, added: "A number of people have been working hard behind the scenes to get us to this stage."
He thanked the Rt Hon George Osborne and MP David Rutley in particular, as well as Cheshire East Council, the University of Manchester, Greater Manchester, Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnerships and Bionow.
MP David Rutley said: "This is terrific news for the live sciences and pharmaceuticals sectors in north east Cheshire.
"I’m please to have been able to support the bid along with George Osborne and the council to ensure that we have a vibrant future for the Alderley Park site.
"The pharmaceutical sector is going through significant changes at the moment and this is a real vote of confidence in finding innovative ways to more the industry forward and to protect our skills base in the area."
