AstraZeneca invests in cancer research building

AstraZeneca is investing 60.9 million UK pounds (US$85 million) in a new cancer research building at Alderley Park, in Cheshire, the UK.

The latest investment adds to those previously made at the site in state-of-the-art laboratory and office accommodation and site infrastructure, totaling over 180 million UK pounds (US$250 million) in the last three years. Since the 1960’s the research and development centre has been responsible for a number of scientific breakthroughs in cancer therapy. The discovery and development of Nolvadex, which became the gold standard treatment for hormone-dependent breast cancer.The new cancer research building will house high-tech laboratories for 243 Discovery scientists, chemistry and biosciences staff, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) facilities and support personnel. The new building is a part of the company’s strategic goal for Alderley Park Discovery to increase candidate drug output each year. It builds upon Alderley Park’s heritage and capabilities in cancer research, including the discovery and development of medicines such as Nolvadex, Arimidex, Cosudex and Faslodex. Iressa, a novel treatment for non-small cell lung cancer launched in Japan in 2002, is the latest medicine to be developed there.(Source: Espicom Business Intelligen)