Servier ‘planning major new UK research facility’

Servier, the French pharmaceutical company, is planning to construct a new research centre in the UK worth 100 million pounds, according to new reports.

The move is part of a desire for the company to become one Britain’s top-ten pharmaceutical companies by 2010 and a decision over the move is expected to be made by the end of the month.

The Times reports that the new laboratories would be set outside London – possibly near Slough – and that their construction is a reflection of the new laws designed to clamp down on animal rights extremism, introduced following threats to shareholders of GlaxoSmithKline.

Simon Best, chairman of the Bioindustry Association, told the newspaper: “There has been a marked increase in investment in UK R&D facilities by foreign companies over the past year.”

“This is a tangible demonstration of the impact of the new legislation offering specific protection against animal rights extremists, and the changing climate for animal research in the UK,” he added.

The UK site is believed to be the leading contender to host Servier’s planned new research base, although locations in Spain, Canada and eastern Europe are also under consideration.

Recently, the company announced the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Waterford, Ireland, to produce Procoralan, Valdoxan and S18886. Additionally, Servier has in recent months entered collaborations with the likes of Plexxicon and Alantos.