MSD calls off £1bn UK expansion amid government-big pharma tensions

Merck & Co (MSD) has ditched plans for its £1bn R&D centre in London, UK, while ceasing drug discovery and research efforts across the country in a double blow to the national life sciences sector. This news comes fewer than two years after the US-based pharma started construction on the R&D hub in King’s Cross, which was set to become the company’s UK headquarters. On top of its pullback from new investments in the UK, MSD will also cease its UK-based R&D operations by the end of this year, meaning 125 ...