Drugs giant AstraZeneca has invited two leading research bodies to test a potentially life-saving drug at its Alderley Park site.

Experts from Cancer Research UK and Manchester University are to use specialist screening facilities at the site near Alderley Edge, to see if a potential medicine they have produced could be used to fight cancer.

It is the first time an outside body has been allowed to undertake such compound screening at the centre.

As part of the agreement, scientists from AstraZeneca will join a group of around 30 experts based at Paterson Institute in Withington, in a bid to develop new cancer treatments.

 It would focus on medicines to help patients bodies repair their DNA, limiting the cell mutations which cause cancer.

AstraZeneca would have the rights to any new medicines produced as a result of the partnership, though in return Cancer Research Technology, the commercial arm of Cancer Research UK, would receive royalty payments when the project reaches certain milestones.

Bosses at AZ it say it is proof of their commitment to research in the region, despite getting set to move a huge chunk of their operation south in the next three years.

It was announced in March that AstraZeneca was closing their research base at Alderley Park with just 700 staff to remain there by 2016.

A total of 1,600 scientists and research staff are being asked to re-locate, the majority to a new £330m research base  in Cambridge, while up to 700 staff are at risk of redundancy.

That sparked fears of a ‘brain drain’ of top scientists from the region but Susan Galbraith, head of the AstraZeneca’s Oncology Innovative Medicines Unit, said the firm would continue to work with experts from the city, even after their move.

She said: “The north west has got some very good universities and Manchester University is a very good example.

“We have a long history of collaboration with the academic centres here. And we will continue to work with the best science in the country, wherever it is, even after the move to Cambridge. Before then, we will keep the commitments we have as well as working with the scientific community to open up the Alderley Park and secure it’s growth so we are able to leave behind a vibrant site.”