GSK to relocate research and development hub to Cambridge; plans to launch 20 phase 3 trials, double earlier announcements

GSK is relocating its research and development hub to Cambridge as part of a £400 million investment aimed at enhancing its drug development capabilities. The move will see more than 1,000 scientists transition from Stevenage to the new site, which is expected to feature state-of-the-art, tech-enabled labs focused on oncology, respiratory, hepatology, vaccines, and HIV.¹

The company plans to launch 20 phase 3 trials, which are large-scale studies designed to evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments compared to existing options or placebos. This announcement marks a significant increase, as it doubles the number of trials previously disclosed earlier this year.³

Tony Wood, GSK’s chief scientific officer, emphasized the strategic importance of Cambridge, stating, “Cambridge has built one of the world’s best life sciences ecosystems, with leading universities, hospitals and biotech companies.” The relocation is part of a broader £1.9 billion cost-cutting program aimed at achieving annual savings by 2029, although the company has not disclosed the number of job cuts involved.

GSK will maintain its global corporate headquarters in London’s Knowledge Quarter, positioning itself alongside AstraZeneca, which previously made a significant investment in the Cambridge area. The phased move is expected to be completed by 2029.⁴