Allergan relocates research ops to Marlow, Bucks

Allergan has announced the relocation of its UK operations to Marlow in Buckinghamshire. This will involve the reorganisation of its European research and design facilities, which are to be consolidated into the new Marlow site.

The company says the move is part of a long-term strategy to find new drugs with “high market potential”. Allergan, which manufactures Botox, claims that its decision to centralise its operations in the UK will make it a major contributor to the country’s research and development industry.

David Endicott, corporate vice-president of Allergan and president of Allergan Europe, stated: “There has been a recent trend in the internationalisation and outsourcing of research and development in the UK. Allergan, however, is committed to solidifying these activities in the United Kingdom.”

Lord Sainsbury, the science and innovation minister, will open new site. He said Allergan’s relocation represents good news for UK research.

He remarked: “Allergan’s decision to expand their commercial operations in Marlow is further evidence that the UK is increasingly viewed as the natural base for European pharmaceutical and biotechnology operations.”

“It is crucial that government and industry continue to work together to help the UK pharmaceutical base grow even further,” he concluded.

As well as the anti-wrinkle treatment Botox, Allergan manufactures medical skin care products for acne and psoriasis, as well as a range of ophthalmic drugs. The company is headquartered in California and has approximately 5,000 worldwide. Last month, Allergan learned that Ganfort, its treatment for glaucoma, had been approved by the European Commission.

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