AstraZeneca is to invest $120 million in a new process research and development (PR&D) laboratory at its Macclesfield site, Cheshire, adding to the company's significant investment in the UK over recent years.

PR&D discovers and develops the manufacturing routes for the active ingredients in potential new medicines. This facility will house multi-disciplinary teams of scientists and specialists involved in chemistry, analytical, process engineering and project management. The building will accommodate around 170 people, most of whom are employed already by the company. The laboratory is sufficiently flexible to accommodate a further 50 people within pre-planned expansion areas.

The PR&D facility represents the largest single investment to date at this particular location. Over the past seven years, AstraZeneca's investments are estimated to have created over 550 new science-related jobs worldwide.

As an important part of AstraZeneca's global strategy in strengthening its pipeline of new products, the laboratory will focus primarily on the company's emerging portfolio in Oncology and Infection, in addition to new potential treatments in the area of Neuroscience, linking with other major R&D facilities in Alderley Park, Cheshire; Boston; and Wilmington. The facility will have the capability to handle potential treatments from AstraZeneca's other therapeutic interests also, to balance the company's global PR&D capacity.

Bryan Mobbs, AstraZeneca vice president, PR&D at Macclesfield, said, "This laboratory will play an important role in strengthening our pipeline of new potential treatments for serious medical disorders. Our goal is to increase the speed in which we can bring new medicines to market safely and cost-effectively. PR&D makes a very important contribution in this area".

Construction will start on the new facility with immediate effect, with an aim to commence operations in mid 2009.