GlaxoSmithKline announces new UK manufacturing and science investments

GlaxoSmithKline has announced a series of investments worth around 200 million pounds that will enhance its ability to research, develop and manufacture new medicines.

Production sites in Ware, Hertfordshire and Worthing, Sussex will be upgraded with new state-of-the-art equipment to aid manufacturing of the Relvar Ellipta inhaler and the antibiotic medicine Augmentin.

Meanwhile, a new centre for manufacturing innovation will be built, dedicated to transforming the latest science and technology innovations into practical manufacturing applications.

Roger Connor, GlaxoSmithKline's president of global manufacturing and supply, said: "These new technologies could significantly reduce costs, improve quality and enable the manufacture of medicines in weeks rather than years and I am delighted that we have been able to bring these investments to the UK."

GlaxoSmithKline continues to make investments in the UK due to recent Patent Box legislation making Britain a globally competitive location. It is creating a new factory in Ulverston, Cumbria and also recently committed to expanding its operations in Montrose.

Additionally, the firm will be recruiting 140 new apprentices over the next two years in the UK, while taking on 26 more engineering graduate trainees.