Drugs firm boss brands UK 'difficult' environment

THE UK boss of drugs giant Merck has said the UK operating environment for pharmaceutical firms is “difficult” and “needs to be addressed”, a week after it axed plans for a £1 billion site in London.

- HENRY SAKER-CLARK

Ben Lucas, VP managing director UK and Ireland for MSD, Merck’s business in the UK and Europe, told MPs at the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee that its “ability to do end-to-end business” in the UK contributed to its decision.

Last week, MSD said it will move its life sciences operation to the US in a move that will impact around 125 British jobs.

It had been planning to open a research centre in London's King’s Cross, which was already under construction and due to open in 2027.

Days later, rival AstraZeneca announced it had paused plans to invest £200 million at a Cambridge research site in the latest major blow for the sector.